Metl-Span Delivers Custom Cladding Solution for Southeast Recreation Center and Fieldhouse
Located near the Aurora Reservoir, Southeast Recreation Center and Fieldhouse set a new standard for access to fitness and recreation for residents in and near Aurora, Colorado, when it opened its doors in 2023.
The 77,000-square-foot facility features gymnasiums, tracks, and other outdoor fitness areas, along with a field house, pool, community spaces, various indoor exercise areas, and lounges.
Among the first of its kind, the facility also includes a full-sized, indoor field with professional-grade turf, which will be the home to an adult indoor soccer league, youth and adult lacrosse and flag football. The facility’s elevated running track extends from inside the gym out into the canyon entryway.
When it came to specifying and designing the facility’s façade, the project team needed to maximize operational efficiency with a cost-effective solution that reflected the aesthetic of the surrounding region, without compromising performance.
Metl-Span delivered on all fronts.
“Metl-Span was able to coordinate around the detailing of all the panels to create exactly what the architect drew,” said Damian Trost, operations manager at Heath Steel. “We worked through specific details in between sets of drawings to meet the desired look from the owner and the architect.”
Defining Details: Functionality Meets Design
Designers were able to seamlessly integrate Metl-Span panels into a variety of other façade components, including a glass curtainwall that showcases the views of the Rocky Mountains, from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak. The fitness area was designed to include a garage door that opened into an outdoor patio space to further connect to the surrounding landscape, providing a unique fitness space.This required the selection of a high-impact, high-performing building envelope.
“Metl-Span was able to coordinate around some unique details, working with different phenolic panels, kalwall panels, and metal panels”, said Trost. “We did some distinctive detailing with integration that we have never done before.”
The project team specified Metl-Span’s CF Architectural panels. Metl-Span CF Architectural panels have a flat, monolithic look, providing architects with design flexibility. CF Architectural panels create a sleek and elegant façade for any project without compromising the building’s energy efficiency. CF Architectural panels also feature concealed clips and fasteners in the side joint, creating an aesthetic look for high-profile buildings.
In addition, CF Striated panels were selected in Pebble with varying lengths to integrate into the desired design. CF Striated panels are lightly profiled with narrow striations that create a subtle shadow effect while exhibiting a virtually flat appearance from a distance. CF Striated metal panels deliver exceptional value by combining the aesthetics of a flat wall panel while providing superior insulation ratings. With simple and fast installation, CF Striated panels help to reduce labor costs and fast-track construction schedules.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go
Construction began on the Southeast Recreation Center and Fieldhouse in February 2021. The facility opened its doors to the community in January 2023.