Add as a preferred source on Google

Coe College: Athletic and Recreational Complex

  • 05/01/18
Coe College

PHOTOS © MARK BALLOGG, COURTESY OF DEWBERRY

A transformative $18 million renovation and expansion project has created a dynamic new student venue for fitness and recreation on the north quad of the Coe College campus in Cedar Rapids, IA. The ambitious project modernized the 1930s-era Eby Fieldhouse and incorporated new multipurpose courts and locker rooms within the historic structure. New construction included a 2,000-seat performance arena, an athletic weight room, a wrestling space and fitness area, and a fitness bridge that extends across College Drive and connects to the existing Clark Racquet Center.

Dewberry, as the architectural, interior design, and structural engineering consultant, was challenged with three primary objectives: provide each Coe College athlete with a dedicated locker space, increase the amount of court space for practices and intramurals, and better utilize the existing buildings. The resourceful solution included a wrap-around, 70,000-square-foot addition that hides an aged but still functional 1970s-era natatorium along the eastern side of the fieldhouse. The cohesive design gives prominence to the investment in the new addition, and creates a vibrant network of student resources that proudly displays the Kohawk spirit.

The project provided the opportunity to establish two new main entrances to the complex. Along the southern façade, facing the campus, a three-story glass cube was inserted between the new weight room and the wrestling space and fitness center. The entrance serves as an illuminated focal point for students and affords clear views to the branding inside. Along the eastern façade, a large angled canopy welcomes crowds into the upper concourse of the new arena. The bridge over College Drive enables the fitness space to flow from the new fieldhouse addition into the racquet center and allows the athletic facilities to function together. The prominent location of the addition and the glass-enclosed bridge serve as a visible expression of the college’s ongoing commitment to athletic programs.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management May 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • University of Rhode Island, Gilbane Partner for Three New Residence Halls

    The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I., recently announced a public-private partnership with construction development firm Gilbane, according to a news release. Gilbane will soon start construction on three new residence halls with a total of 1,100 beds: two with apartment-style suites in northwest campus, and a reconstruction of the Graduate Village Apartments for graduate students.

  • Tennessee State University Gains Approval for New Engineering Facility

    Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., recently announced that it has received approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission to build a new engineering building on campus, according to a university news release. The 70,000-square-foot, $50-million facility will play home to the university’s engineering programs and the Applied & Industrial Technology program.

  • sapling sprouting from a cracked stone

    Lessons in Resilience: Disaster Recovery in Our Schools

    Facility managers play a pivotal role in how well a school weathers and recovers from a crisis. Whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a man-made event, preparation determines resilience.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

Digital Edition