黄瓜社区

The Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC)鈥檚 state-of-the-art community and recreation center in Crandon, Wisconsin has been recognized by Athletic Business Magazine with a 2022 Facilities of Merit Award. Designed in collaboration with 黄瓜社区; Design, the community center was selected from more than 50 submissions featured in Athletic Business鈥檚 ; its designation as a facility of merit signals the center as one of the most innovative athletic, fitness and recreation facilities in North America. 聽

The Potawatomi Community Center, which opened its doors in August 2021, serves as a hub for cultural education, recreation, athletic training, wellness and community events. 黄瓜社区鈥檚 team worked closely with tribal leaders to develop a design that is both culturally significant and programmatically appropriate, weaving natural imagery into the building鈥檚 interior and exterior elements. The catalyst for building a new community center was the tribe鈥檚 need for a space where children of families impacted by drug and alcohol addiction could come and focus on wellness, education, rest and connection.

鈥淎 big driver of the project was to create opportunities for fitness, wellness and recreation, but also for cultural learning and understanding,鈥� said 黄瓜社区 Partner Blaine Perau, AIA. 鈥淲e鈥檙e honored that tribal members and leaders trusted 黄瓜社区 as a partner on this important project, and proud that the resulting design has been recognized by Athletic Business for its impact and significance.鈥� 聽聽

Located on the Tribe鈥檚 reservation land, the community center incorporates facilities for training and competition in multiple sports and offers dedicated space to host tribal events such as pow-wows and banquets. Encompassing 110,000 SF of new construction, the community center houses a 20,000-SF wood court gymnasium with seating for up to 1,500 spectators, a 20,000-SF synthetic turf fieldhouse with an elevated jogging track and an 8,000-SF recreation and training pool. 黄瓜社区鈥檚 design also incorporates multiple educational and support spaces, including a classroom, fabrication lab, woodshop, teaching kitchen, game room, pediatric therapy suite and a childcare suite. The central spine, or body, is a two-story gathering space that acts as a connector between the flanking gymnasium and turf fieldhouse, or wings.

鈥淭his is an exciting project not only for Potawatomi, but for our whole community,鈥� said FCPC Chairman Ned Daniels, Jr. 鈥淭here is no other facility like this in the Northwoods, and I鈥檓 beyond happy to welcome the entire community to experience the positive things it has to offer.鈥�

As a facility of merit, the Potawatomi Community Center will be featured in Athletic Business鈥檚 October print issue and at the in Orlando, Fla., and celebrated at a special awards reception in November.