George M. Silliman Community Activity Center

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George M. Silliman Community Activity Center

Location: Newark, California
Architects: GLASS Architects
Photography: Steven Higbee

This 55,000 square foot facility was designed and constructed in two Phases. Phase 1 - completed in 2000 - included a full Community Gymnasium and Activity Center, with an impressive glass atrium-style lobby, which separates the gymnasium and community activity spaces for aerobics, dance, exercise equipment, locker rooms, and conference areas from the specially designed child care and teen activity wing.

Phase 2, which was completed in 2004, includes a large Natatorium with a state-of-the-art indirect illumination system providing glare free lighting of the three, full-size indoor swimming pools. Also included in the second Phase of this expansive facility are additional locker facilities dedicated to the Swim Center and power cogeneration equipment to efficiently utilize the pool heating equipment and produce electric power for the facility.

A comprehensive, facility-wide programmable control system gives the administrative staff complete lighting control flexibility and status indication from one location, with networked system communications provisions connecting the entire Facility. Other integrated building systems extended throughout both Phases of the Building include public address, security, and central clock. Automated gymnasium bleachers and equipment are also provided.

Award of Excellence, Facility Design and Park Planning
California Park & Recreation Society

Best Public Indoor Family Aquatic Center
Aquatics International Magazine, Best of Aquatics, November/December, 2005