Mike Daniel Recreation Center

In early 2003, Troup County determined the need for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for funding of a multitude of countywide projects supporting growth aligned with their master plan. Multiple projects w­ere to be funded by the SPLOST. The different county departments with submitted projects included parks and recreation, schools, public safety, and infrastructure. The director of Parks and Recreation, Tod Tentler, developed a vision for project development aligning with the county master plan. Based on his prior development experience, Tod created a roadmap taking the projects from vision development through SPLOST approval / funding, and into implementation. The roadmap included retaining an architectural firm for development of vision aligned designs to ensure, once funded, projects would progress smoothly. The vision included the delivery methodologies for each facility.

To implement his roadmap, Tod developed and issues an RFQ/P for architectural services focused on preliminary design. The intent was for Troup County Parks and Recreation to engage a firm for development of Basis of Design documents for each of their anticipated projects. The deliverables would include all aspects of a typical Basis of Design along with renderings of each facility. Major parks and recreation projects included within the SPLOST were a new recreation center (Mike Daniels Recreation Center), renovations and addition to a second recreation center (William J. Griggs Recreation Center), upgrades and additions to a tennis complex (Ann & Doc McCluskey Tennis Complex), a baseball / softball complex (George Harris Baseball Complex), and renovations and upgrades to a city park (West Point City Park).

2WR submitted qualifications and a fee in response to the Troup County RFQ/P. The firm was shortlisted along with several others. Each were provided two weeks for preparation of a presentation to the Troup County Board of County Commissioners. The presentation outlined the firms approach to integrated design while discussing the alignment between utilization of the approach and delivery of “client driven solutions”. The term “client driven solutions” was utilized as a phrase to describe ensuring the design aligned with the vision, the owner’s criteria. The presentation also included graphics illustrating the storytelling process of aesthetic development from early conceptual sketches to final renderings. Lastly, the presentation included cost estimating examples and discussion illustrating the firm’s ability to produce extremely accurate cost opinions early in design. 2WR was awarded the parks and recreation projects and quickly placed under contract so work could begin.

Tod’s vision for the Mike Daniels Recreation Center included utilization of an abandoned Lowe’s home improvement center. The Lowe’s was located on a major access road between downtown LaGrange, GA and Interstate 85 to the east. The desire, upgrade the aesthetics of the building while breathing new life into an abandoned site. Tod understood the impact of architecture on community based on aesthetic perception. Further, he understood the correlation between quality of life and quality of community. Tod investigated the traffic impact from the change in use of a major home improvement store to recreation center and determined it to be minimal. The most significant impact would be competitions and classes creating time-based traffic. However, based on the roadway’s existing conditions this impact was deemed minimal; the roadway would support the time-based increases.

Tod’s desired program for the project focused on providing the community with a facility meeting current and future needs while enhancing the quality of life. As such, the program included a 25-yard x 25-meter competition pool, indoor skate park, indoor roller hockey, multiple basketball courts, arts and crafts, community meeting rooms, fitness room, and the parks and recreation offices. Once completed, the team analyzed the square footage and determined an addition would be required to meet the needs. Systems and equipment were discussed, and the Basis of Design document began to come together. Conceptual plans followed with schematics and renderings shortly thereafter.

Tod’s vision included delivery of the facilities utilizing a combination of team and hard bid methodologies. The recreation centers, both Mike Daniels and William J. Griggs, would be developed utilizing CM at-Risk while the parks and other venues would be design-bid-build. Utilizing this information, 2WR prepared cost opinions and schedules based on the defined vision aligned documents.

The above process was repeated for each of the projects on the parks and recreation list. The renderings and documentation were utilized by Tod in a series of community outreach presentations aim at illustrating the benefits of SPLOST approval. The documentation also illustrated the depth of planning supporting the costs presented for the SPLOST. In November 2003 the citizens of Troup County voted to approve the SPLOST and all projects moved forward. Each were completed in alignment with the vision.

This project was completed by 2WR of Georgia, Inc. My role in the project was Principal in Charge.