New Student Recreation Center Expansion Now Under Construction on UC, Riverside Campus

April 16, 2013 - PRLog -- C.W. Driver, a premiere builder serving the Western U.S. since 1919, has started construction on the new student recreation center expansion located on the University of California, Riverside (UCR) campus. The $35.2 million project, which is targeted for LEED silver certification, involves 9,000 square feet of renovation to an existing recreation center, as well as more than 80,000 square feet of new construction. Construction completion is targeted for January 2015.

“This new structure will offer a comprehensive facility for the campus that involves creating new spaces while revitalizing the existing areas,” said Brett Curry, vice president of operations for C.W. Driver. “Blending the new space into the existing structure presents a unique construction challenge for this project, which when complete will be presented as an integrated, yet expanded and revitalized recreation center that UCR can be very proud of.”

The existing 9,000-square-foot structure on the lower level will be upgraded to include new offices, administration areas and training and multipurpose rooms. The expansive two-story addition will connect to the existing facility with a new bridge between the upper floors, while the existing facility will receive expansive upgrades.  

C.W. Driver’s new construction will move most of the existing fitness equipment to the addition, which will feature an indoor track, indoor climbing and bouldering wall, additional indoor courts, a new MAC gym, a fitness lab and massage therapy room, new weight and cardio equipment, a demonstration kitchen and multi-purpose rooms. UCR’s traditional blend brick will be used in the construction of a new circular locker room structure. The second floor will have views of the new 5,000 square-foot outdoor pool and deck, new sand volleyball courts, tennis courts and field space, as well as views of the Box Springs Mountains to the east.

“Because of the location, we need to incorporate the best use of natural light, as well as natural heating and cooling which will support the building’s sustainability efforts,” Curry said. “UCR’s blend brick is a traditional component that we will incorporate so that the new building is reflective of the campus traditions, but feels new and exciting with modern materials as well.”

Materials for construction will revolve around UCR’s blend brick, a campus requirement, which will be featured prominently on the opaque volumes at the ground level. The upper level will use a combination of curtainwall glazing and metal panels, and will feature vertical screening devices and overhangs to provide sun protection for the multiple solar orientations of the undulating façade. By utilizing different screen shapes and patterns along the curvature of the second floor, C.W. Driver’s construction will maximize the use of natural light while keeping cooling and heating costs to a minimum during peak hours.

“The project’s location puts the site adjacent to not just existing sports facilities and thoroughfares, but also right against the existing Recreation Center building which will remain in use until the completion of construction,” said Brian DeMartino, senior project manager for C.W. Driver. “This poses a great challenge for construction because we will be installing utilities around the existing building, working in and around the existing facility, and building a new structure only a few feet from the existing occupied spaces.  C.W. Driver is rising to these challenges with extensive pre-planning and coordination with the campus and the Rec Center’s ongoing activities.”

The UCR Recreation Center joins a number of C.W. Driver-built academic construction projects, including student recreation centers at California State University, Fullerton, California State University, Long Beach and California State University, Northridge, which have achieved LEED® Gold certification; California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and San Francisco State University, Recreation and Wellness Center, targeting LEED® Gold certification, as well as multiple upgrades, renovations and new construction to educational institutions throughout the state of California.

Cannon Design is the architect for the project.

About C.W. Driver

C.W. Driver, a premier builder serving the Western United States since 1919, specializes in general contracting and construction management services by remaining on the cutting-edge across a broad spectrum of industries, including higher education facilities, K-12, healthcare, biomedical/life sciences, civic/government, entertainment, hospitality and military. C.W. Driver has offices in Los Angeles, Irvine, Ontario, Anaheim, San Diego and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, please visit www.cwdriver.com.