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Vaughan Athletic Center
Award of Merit: Sports & Entertainment
The Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora, Ill., provides recreational
amenities in the northwest quadrant of the Fox Valley Park
District, an area previously underserved.
Surveys, polls and community town halls meetings were used
to give guidance to the district's mission of meeting the needs
of 180,000-plus residents.
Community support for the project was strong. In 2002 about
71 percent of the voters approved a $33 million tax referendum,
the majority of which was used for Vaughan.
At 228,000 sq. ft., the facility is reportedly the largest recreational
complex in Illinois.
The field house is the first of its kind in Fox Valley to include
a 1/8-mi. track with pole vault and long-jump capabilities.
The leisure pool has an exterior-to-interior water slide that
is a thrill for patrons and also advertises the fun inside.
The facility includes an eight-lane, 25-yd. competition pool
with viewing area; therapy pool; four basketball, volleyball,
tennis and badminton courts; three batting and golf cases; suspended
running track; dance studios; group exercise studios; fitness
center; multipurpose rooms; offices; and concessions.
Along with standard athletic center activities, services include
physical and occupational therapy, community rental space, recreational
services for the disabled and youth sport training.
An Inviting Facility
The design is characterized by openness. Large expanses of
exterior glazing were used to serve as a marketing tool for
the facility's activities and to transit daylight. Transparency
is continued in the interior where clerestory and interior
windows ensure daylighting, increase visual interest and simplify
wayfinding.
Ample space was needed for water detention due to high ground
water and parking.
Building elements were arranged to maximize the site usage,
thereby allowing two detention basins. Landscaping with natural
prairie grasses and other plantings maintain the Midwestern
prairie context.
Another obstacle was an existing tennis club. Nine tennis
courts remained, while the support spaces were demolished
to make way for a tennis sales area, lounge, kitchen and locker
rooms.
The tennis club needed to remain functioning during construction,
and the schedule was carefully coordinated to ensure limited
disruption.
Jury Comments: "This was a huge endeavor for a park district.
It's all encompassing. It offers families a little more to
do than just a few things."
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