The Mary Free Bed YMCA in Grand Rapids, Mich., received Universal Design Certification last week, becoming the first facility in the world to earn that certification from the Global Universal Design Commission. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the facility last week.
Universal design is the concept to create buildings that are accessible to everyone who uses them: the elderly and people with and without disabilities.
The 116,200-sf Mary Free Bed YMCA is located on a 36-acre campus with two pools, two group fitness centers, and two and a half gyms. It also has an indoor track, climbing wall, wheelchair softball field, and baseball and soccer fields.
Outside of athletics, the facility has a greenhouse, teaching kitchen, and learning farm. The Carol Van Andel Healthy Living Center will hold programs that teach nutrition and physical activity.
The project cost $31 million. The YMCA was designed by Progressive AE, an architecture firm based in Grand Rapids.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jul 9, 2020
Florida Gators’ $65 million baseball field completes
Populous and Walker Architects designed the project.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jun 15, 2020
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has its own brewery, Europe’s longest bar
Populous designed the project.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 19, 2020
Projection mapping takes center court
Audiovisual systems that turn sports arenas into digital canvasses have become key elements of venue design.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 1, 2020
DLR Group completes LA Memorial Coliseum Renovation
The work finished prior to the 2019 USC season.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 27, 2020
Erudite eSports: Colleges build their very own eSports arenas
Universities are building dedicated spaces for eSport athletes to pick up the sticks.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 27, 2020
Disney to develop private island destination in The Bahamas
This will be Disney’s second private island retreat.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 25, 2020
The world’s largest cricket stadium opens
Populous designed the project.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 6, 2020
Europe’s first LEGOLAND Water Park is set to open
The water park will be part of Italy’s Gardaland Theme Park in Gardaland, Italy.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 20, 2020
Construction begins on $1.8 billion addition to the Washington State Convention Center
LMN Architects designed the project.