Geraldo Rivera University is one of the larger institutions in the state. GRU is a community of
about 18,500 students, faculty and staff. The main campus has over 80 buildings with one, old,
outdated gym/rec center. GRU is located in Springerville, MO, a city of about 100,000 that was
named after Jerry.
The GRU campus has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 12,000 with a graduate
enrollment of 3,000. The University employs 1,500 faculty and 2,000 staff. Approximately 6,000
students live in campus housing while the remainder commute from the community.
The Department of Recreational Sports serves as a vital and integral part of student life on the
GRU campus. The department offers comprehensive quality intramural programs and services
that promote healthy lifestyles among a diverse campus community. The Department of Varsity
Athletics at GRU is a member of the NCAA Division II and includes a full complement of
varsity teams. The GRU “Fightin’ Weasels” varsity teams are currently housed in the old gym
that is scheduled for demolition. Sports on campus include: men’s and women’s teams in tennis,
basketball, track, cross country, women’s volleyball, softball and field hockey, and men’s,
football and baseball.
Currently, the women’s basketball and volleyball teams play in the sports forum in the existing
gym but this space has limited spectator seating. Both teams would like to continue to play on
campus. The men’s basketball team competes in the city owned, 12,000 seat Civic Center. No
other sports teams are envisioned competing or working out in the proposed recreation, sports
and community center. There has been a discussion about adding men’s and women’s swimming
and diving if a competitive natatorium is built on campus.
The Board of Regents of GRU has completed a feasibility study determining the financial
requirements of a recreation facility that could serve the entire campus community of GRU as
well as the public community of Springerville. Several entities will contribute to the capital and
operational budgets of the proposed recreation, sports and community center. The institution will
provide $5,000,000 through fundraising. A student referendum passed earlier in the year will
provide additional funding of approximately $15,000,000. The community of Springerville,
through a ½ cent sales tax increase passed earlier in the spring, will provide funding of
approximately $7,000,000. The entire project budget for the center will be $27,000,000.
Public Spaces
The new recreation, sports and community center will require at least one significant entry. This
entry/lobby will be used by visitors as a pre-function space and to provide an area for circulation
to the free zone activity areas which include concessions, vending, juice bar, pro shop, public
restrooms, babysitting and game room. The areas in the free zone should have some sense of
visual connection to as many of the controlled activity areas as possible to help market fitness
opportunities to students and community members.
Administration
It is envisioned that the current recreation office will move into the facility and provide the
support necessary for staff, including private offices, work areas, break room, conference room,
storage, reception and toilet areas within one office suite.
• Office suite 2,300 SF
• Office suite 3,900 SF
• Office suite 6,000 SF
Building Support
Mechanical rooms, custodial closets, elevator, elevator equipment room, data rooms, and
electrical rooms are all required to support the building’s operations.
Natatorium/Pool/Aquatic Center
The natatorium component has not been determined. Initial discussion with the original
committee considered supporting a 50 meter competitive pool or an 8 lane 25 meter pool with an
indoor leisure pool. A leisure pool complex was discussed which would include a zero entry,
vortex, lazy river, whirlpool and indoor slide. A natatorium combining a competitive pool and
leisure pool may also be considered. GRU and the community have different needs in the pools
due to the age and diversity of the users.
• 6 lane 25 meter pool 7,500 SF
• 8 lane 25 meter pool 9,000 SF
• 25 yard x 25 meter pool 11,5000 SF
• Leisure pool 10,000 SF
• Leisure pool with lap lane1 2,600 SF
• Leisure pool with separate lap pool 13,000 SF
• 50 meter pool 20,200 SF
• 50 meter pool with diving well 32,500 SF
Fitness Areas & Aerobic Dance
A dedicated fitness activity area between 4,500 and 11,500 square feet should be provided for in
the facility. These areas will include cardiovascular, free weight and weight machine areas
located in the heart of the facility with storage and a fitness control desk. Provide an array of
aerobics/dance rooms for activities including aerobics, dance, combatives, and fencing. The
multipurpose rooms should have a minimum of 1,600 square feet or larger.
• Fitness center 4,500 – 11,500 SF
• Multipurpose room/Aerobic Dance 1,600 SF
• Multipurpose room/Aerobic Dance 2,800 SF
• Multipurpose room/Aerobic Dance 4,500 SF
Multipurpose Gymnasium
A multipurpose gymnasium for intramural and recreational use is proposed for the new facility.
The number of courts is yet undetermined, but should minimally be two courts with a potential
for four courts. This space should include a suspended jogging track surrounding the upper
portion of the gymnasium space. A large storage room should be adjacent to the multipurpose
gymnasium.
Gym Jogging Track Total
1 court with jogging track 9,700 SF 3,800 SF 13,500 SF
2 courts with jogging track 16,500 SF 5,000 SF 21,500 SF
3courts with jogging track 23,000 SF 6,000 SF 29,000 SF
4 courts with jogging track 30,000 SF 7,000 SF 37,000 SF
Performance Area
A performance arena for Women’s Varsity basketball / volleyball and special community events
is proposed for the new facility. When this component is not being used for varsity or special
events, it will be available for Intramural and Recreational use. The Arena is envisioned to
accommodate 1,000 to 3,500spectators. The current performance facility for Women’s Varsity
does not have spectator seating. Without historical data, it is unknown what attendance will be.
The facility will have a scoreboard and other amenities to support competitive play. Public
spaces adjacent to the performance gymnasium should include restrooms and concessions. A
catering kitchen and storage will be accounted for in the 80/20building net/gross area.
Arena (1,000bleacher seats) 16,800 SF (2 cross courts with circulation on 2 sides)
Arena (3,000telescoping seats) 27,000 SF (3 cross courts with circulation on 4 sides)
Arena (3,500fixed & tele. seats) 44,000 SF (3 cross courts with circulation on 4 sides)
Activity Zone
Specialized activity spaces, designated for a specific use, include a climbing wall and racquetball
courts. Two to six racquetball courts should be provided.
• Racquetball courts2 to 6 – 800 SF/court
• Climbing Wall 900 SF
Classrooms / Meeting Rooms
There is a requirement by the Department of Recreation, Physical Education, and the community
to provide educational and meeting areas within the facility. These classrooms will be supported
by storage areas and will be equipped with the highest level of technology. It is anticipated that
two to three classrooms should be provided to support a minimum of 160 to 280 occupants.
• Classroom 25 seats
• Classroom 58 seats
• Classroom 80 seats
• Classroom 115 seats
• Classroom 141 seat
User Support Areas
User support areas are envisioned to include locker rooms with showers, sauna, and toilet
facilities for recreation, intramural and varsity users. This area would also include an equipment
issue area. Requirements for these areas are as of yet undetermined.
• Locker room 3,400 SF
• Locker room 5,600 SF
• Family change140 SF
• Control/storage 1,200 SF
Site and Campus Context
Located on the southern edge of Springerville, the GRU campus is situated on 1,000acres
overlooking the Humongous River. The architectural context of the campus is distinguished by a
blend of modem buff brick buildings with limestone accents. The major campus core, including
the library, campus center, science and academic buildings are located just to the north of Weasel
Drive. The main campus is organized around a campus quadrangle and the GRU campus master
plan calls for the new recreation, sports and community center to be located at the comer of
Weasel Drive and Bobby Knight Street. The recreation, sports and community center will create
a new focus for student activities on campus. The planned location of the facility will also
reinforce the community aspect of the facility and the importance this facility will play in student
life on campus.
Design Project Directions:
Step 1. Based on what you have read, design a building using excel, Sketch-up, or pen/pencil and
paper. If you choose to hand draw your design, take a picture and save the image as a jpeg file.
Upload the picture along with a description of your building. Be as detailed and descriptive as
possible.
Step 2. Using the excel form; calculate the cost of your building. Remember the budget is
$27,000,000. If you go over, explain why?
Step 3. Submit via Blackboard.
Good luck!
Design Rubric
(1) DESIGN: (14 points)
Practical/Logical Layout and use of Space (5)
Explanation of design (5)
Enough Support Spaces (3)
Aesthetics (1)
(2) BUDGET (10 points)
Explanation of budget (5)
If under budget, what is excess money being used for or who pays less? (2)
or
If over budget, why and where is money coming from? (2)
Accurate calculations (2)
Turn in one copy of cost spreadsheet (1)