University of Arizona Student Recreation Center Expansion

  • Location:

    Tucson, AZ

  • Client:

    University of Arizona

  • Construction Value:

    $22,758,307

  • Delivery Method:

    CMAR

  • Year Completed:

    2009

  • Specialties:

    Higher Education, Sports & Recreation

Features & Highlights

  • First LEED® project on UA campus
  • Elevated LEED Silver® project goal to LEED Platinum® certification
  • Innovative stormwater management including collection through sand volleyball courts and discharge to bioswales
  • Responded to sensitivities of adjacent neighborhood by orienting the public facade away from existing homes
Project Overview

This project added a 52,000-square-foot expansion to the University of Arizona’s existing student recreation center. The new additions included a fitness and weight room, and a multipurpose gymnasium. Also added were administrative offices and storage/support space for the campus outdoor recreation center. Onsite work included outdoor program space for bouldering and sand volleyball. Additional offsite work involved the extension of the utility infrastructure from the main campus tunnel system to the project site, via direct burial and tunneling under a street that separates the center from the main campus.

Designed to enhance the University of Arizona’s presence along 6th Street, the building includes a glass and perforated metal façade that provides solar control yet maximizes visibility from both within and outside the facility.  The LEED Platinum® project incorporates numerous sustainable features such as water harvesting, solar energy, regional and recycled content materials, IAQ measures and alternative fuel vehicle prioritization.

“Sundt not only provided solicitous planning as well as attention to detail, which made the process smooth and easy for us as the owners but also built a solid, usable facility in a timely fashion. You listened to us and provided us with a facility that reflected the need and interest of the user.”

Juliette Moore, former Director of Campus Recreation, University of Arizona

Contacts

Awards & Accolades

  • 2010 Common Ground Award Finalist – Architecture, Planning & Design, Metropolitan Pima Alliance
  • 2011 ASUI Facility Design Award, Association of College Unions International (ACUI)
  • Best of 2010 – Best Sports/Recreation Project in Arizona, Southwest Contractor magazine
  • 2010 Excellence in Structural Engineerings Award, State of Arizona, Structural Engineering Association
  • 2011 IDEAS Award, National Certificate of Recognition, American Institute of Steel Construction
  • 2010 Merit Award, American Institute of Architects, Orange County Chapter
  • 2011 Outstanding Sports Facilities Award, National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)