Photo Credit: Laszlo Regos Photography
All too often, facilities are labeled “multi-use” but fall short of delivering that promise. The fault can often lie in planning deficiencies caused by both overly optimistic notions of cooperation, or by cutting corners on amenities.
Needs And Goals
Having a clear knowledge of the individual needs and goals of all stakeholders is essential. There are definitely areas of a building that can be shared, but it is vital that the core areas of use for individual interests remain separate by providing dedicated amenities for each group.
An example of where this arrangement works well is the aquatic center at Allegan High School in Allegan, Mich. Allegan is a small community—around 5,000 residents—with a big spirit, but limited financial resources. Before this addition, there were no area indoor pools and, therefore, no year-round swimming opportunities, no swim teams, and no recreational aquatic activities during winter months. Years before the construction of the high school, volunteers had organized a committee to research the development of a community center featuring a major aquatic element. Plans were developed, and cost estimates loomed large. The project ultimately lost momentum due to the inability to fund the community’s dream. Later, when Allegan Public Schools decided to explore improvements to the high school, a community natatorium was suggested as a possibility, if the municipality and school district combined forces to create a joint-use complex.