PSU Recreation Center
Project Number 78900
Meeting of March 14, 2003
Prepared by: Jamin AAsum
Issue Date: March 17, 2003
Distribution: Student Rec Center Committee, YGH Design Team
The following represents the Architect’s understanding of discussions held and decisions reached in
the meeting. Revisions should be communicated to YGH. Italicized text indicates revisions.
Program Review
PSU interest in housing is waning due to current housing construction and future projections. Housing option on site still needs to be part of the report.
Alex reported that the survey is showing significant interest in racquetball.
PE and athletics will stay in Stott Center. All recreation will occur in the new rec center building.
It is important to state assumptions of recreation program in the final document (i.e. rec pool, or lap pool).
Alex reported that the recreation survey has had over 800 student responses. According to the survey the top three activities in order of popularity are circuit (fitness) training, weight training and aquatics.
A recreation pool will be added to the base program document.
Expansion: All schemes should include options. What recreation component would expand or be added if PSU grew to become 30,000 students?
Rentable ½ lockers are preferable and generate additional revenue.
Locating storage cubicles through-out the building is one way to alleviate pressure on locker rooms (i.e. coin operated small lockers spread through-out building).
Faculty, staff and alumni are more service oriented (i.e. more and larger lockers).
For programming purposes it is important to define recreation center users.
Design Concept Assumptions
PSU to supply tree inventory and site history to YGH.
Four-five story building height is typical on PSU campus due to code exiting requirements and program practicalities (i.e. getting users to upper floors).
Presentation of Recreation Center Options
PSU wants the final conceptual study to have more than one option for program and site.
YGH presented six options: Three recreation only and three that included housing. Three options will be culled from the six presented.
Option 1 provides the full recreation program and assumes the Market Street trees are saved and the Marston House is moved to a new location.
Option 2 provides 110,000 sf of recreation program and assumes the Market Street trees are saved and the Marston house stays.
Option 3 provides 110,000 sf of recreation program and 180 units of housing and assumes the Market Street trees are saved and the Marston House is moved to a new location.
Including a spa without a natatorium might be a security problem.
A natatorium should be included in the first phase of a recreation center project.
A food service/retail element seems important at corner of 11th Avenue and Market Streets.
Connecting food service to entry of rec center creates synergies, provides activity options and provides a revenue source.
Total allowable building square footage for the Market Street site is 6 x total site area.
Transferring F.A.R. is currently possible. There could be transferred to the rec center project or from the site to somewhere else. The project should be analyzed from architectural and urban planning and not specifically site density.
Would the Honors College be interested in being part of the rec center building? (In place of housing.)
Could a larger gathering space (groups of 100 or more) be incorporated somewhere in the project? There is a campus need for social and meeting spaces.
Alex likes the idea of a lounge space along 11th Avenue with connection back into rec center. This are could have roll-up doors from lounge and food space onto a outdoor plaza along 11th. This lounge area might be free zone activity space so students and others don’t have to swipe card to get in.
Include some outdoor space for fairs, displays, etc.
A lounge area in the free zone might include the Wellness Program, a Pro Shop, food service, presentation area (indoor or outdoor) and be associated with the controlled rec center entry point.
Dennis voiced concern about future growth. It is important to identify needs and desires clearly. If you build something that is only barely adequate but very inviting, problems will occur. In that case it is better to give up some program element entirely to meet primary needs adequately and be able to accommodate anticipated growth.
YGH will show 20-30 minutes of recreation center sides at the next Committee Meeting.