Recreation & Community

The Center of Recreational Excellence (CORE) is a 158,000-square-foot facility built as a hub for health, wellness, and community life in Hobbs, New Mexico. Delivered through a rare public-private partnership, the project brought together six co-owners: the City of Hobbs, Lea County, New Mexico Junior College, Hobbs Municipal Schools, University of the Southwest, and the J.F. Maddox Foundation.

The facility packs in a range of amenities, including a gymnasium with four multi-activity courts, an indoor turf field house, elevated walking/jogging track, aerobics and fitness rooms, racquetball courts, lounge and game room, childcare areas, and administrative offices. The aquatic center features New Mexico’s tallest indoor water slide, a competition lap pool, a leisure pool with play features, and a warm water therapy pool.

Planning for the CORE spanned two decades, weathering the leadership of six mayors, six city managers, three school superintendents, and four college presidents. The result is a high-impact facility that’s become a cornerstone for Hobbs and Lea County — providing a place for sports, fitness, and connection for the entire community.

As the largest aquatics center in Arizona, this 50-acre facility is designed as a central hub for recreation and community gathering. The indoor recreation center features versatile sports courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, along with a fitness area, indoor track, teen room, childcare facilities, and multipurpose classrooms.

The aquatic elements include a zero-depth entry pool, lazy river, splash pad, three-slide tower, and competition swimming and diving pools. Outdoor amenities extend the experience with lighted ball fields, picnic areas, and a 1.5-mile multi-use path that connects to the town’s larger public pathway system, encouraging access for walkers, bikers, and equestrians from surrounding neighborhoods.
This facility reflects the Town of Queen Creek’s investment in creating a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike, bringing a full range of recreational opportunities to the community.

The Asante Branch Library is a 10,000-square-foot facility located within Asante Park in Surprise, Arizona. Designed to serve a growing community, the library features dedicated children’s, teens’, and adults’ reading rooms, multiple study rooms, a multi-purpose makerspace, and administrative areas.

The library’s innovative design has been widely recognized. In 2022, it received the Library Buildings Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Library Association (ALA). Additionally, in 2021, the project was honored with the International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design.

This multi-phase project expanded Ottawa University’s athletic facilities with a 42,000-square-foot, three-story building housing locker rooms, training facilities, coaches’ offices, and student support services. It also included a new press box and entertainment area, a 30,000-square-foot gymnasium, and a 20,000-square-foot recreation building. The complex was designed to enhance the university’s athletic programs and provide a state-of-the-art space for students and athletes.

In addition to the primary facilities, the development also features a multipurpose sports field suitable for football, soccer, and lacrosse, as well as Faith Arena, a 41,000-square-foot indoor gymnasium. These additions reflect Ottawa University’s commitment to providing a comprehensive athletic experience, enriching both student-athletes and the wider community with modern, flexible spaces for sports, fitness, and social activities.

This 22,600-square-foot conference center was designed to provide a responsibly funded, sustainably functioning facility that is both aesthetically beautiful and practical. The building houses multiple sectors of the civic community, including economic development, marketing, legal services, and City Council, as well as meeting spaces and a visitor center for public interaction. The ultimate goal of the building is to provide a safe, comfortable space for city staff and residents, as well as a resource to help attract new business to Avondale.​

In February 2022, the Avondale Visitor & Conference Center received the “Best Project, Government/Public Building” award from Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine, recognizing its excellence in design and functionality.

The Casa Grande Community Recreation Center is a 55,000-square-foot facility designed to promote health, wellness, and community engagement. It features a spacious fitness loft with interactive cardio equipment, free weights, strength training machines, and functional training spaces. The center also includes two group fitness studios offering a variety of classes, a three-lane indoor track suitable for walking or running, and a double gymnasium that accommodates basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, and pickleball. Additional amenities include a community room, two classrooms, an activity room with foosball, pool tables, computers, and gaming areas, as well as a teen center and child watch area. These facilities collectively provide a comprehensive environment for fitness, recreation, and social activities, catering to individuals of all ages.

This 47,000-square-foot civic center houses council chambers, a community resource center, senior center, library, museum, administrative offices, and conference rooms. Designed to serve as a central hub for civic engagement, the center provides spaces for various community services and events.

The project, with a budget of $22 million, exemplifies Tolleson’s commitment to enhancing community infrastructure. The new facility offers a modern, accessible space for local government functions and public services, strengthening the connection between the city and its residents.