BBR recreation project is on schedule

The rebuilding of the Glaze Meadow Recreation Complex at Black Butte Ranch (BBR) is on schedule according to Frank Buehler, BBR Program Manager, and Brian Crosby, Superintendent of Construction.

The projected completion date is May 1, 2007. The targeted Grand Opening of the complex is Memorial Day weekend, 2007.

Built on the same site as the original Glaze Meadow Recreation Complex, the new center will offer significant improvements over the facility that it is replacing. The 18,000-square-foot complex is a single structure housing a year-round indoor pool, a steam room, locker rooms, fitness and exercise rooms, a six room massage, facial and rejuvenation facility, a sports shop, a bike rental shop and a snack bar.

The decision to build a single structure rather than multiple buildings was made as a means of lowering construction costs, minimizing staffing requirements and eliminating the duplication of facilities such as restrooms.

Although the original outdoor tennis portion of the Glaze Meadow Complex will remain essentially unchanged, extensive changes are being made to the outdoor swimming pool area. The highlight is a new outdoor pool. Other new features are an enlarged toddler pool area, a water sprinkler play area and an augmented hot tub facility. An expanded playground and increased parking will round out the upgrades.

Ranch managers hope that the new recreation complex will serve the needs of Black Butte Ranch for the next 30 to 40 years.

Although the new facility will be rich in features, it is not supposed be showy or pretentious. The new center was designed to fit into the ambience of the Ranch.

Carl Sherwood of Robertson/Sherwood Architects, the Eugene firm that designed the new Recreation Complex said, "The greatest challenge that we faced was to design a facility that would meet both current and future needs, yet be supported by the homeowners."

He added that he has a vested interest in the project, as he is also a property owner at BBR.

This project proved to be a bit of a balancing act for Robertson/Sherwood which has previously designed 18 similar facilities. The BBR project is the first recreational complex that the firm has designed for a destination resort. Some of the unique challenges the architects faced at BBR were placing the building on the designated site to take maximum advantage of the sun while providing pleasant views from the fitness rooms and, at the same time, screening the building from the street.

Considerable effort was expended to preserve the natural barrier provided by the trees along Hawks Beard Road.

The project is now starting to rise above ground after the removal of more than 1,600 tons of rock, dirt and debris. The major ongoing challenge the extensive project presents, according to Construction Superintendent Crosby, is maintaining the quality of life for BBR residents.

Crosby commented that the construction company has gone out of its way to ensure minimal disruption of residents and guests by bringing in trucks at times that the roads are still empty yet late enough that the noise does not disrupt morning schedules.

"To date we have not received a single complaint from the surrounding residents," he said.

Crosby predicts that the new facility will be weathertight and fully enclosed by Thanksgiving of this year. Once the building is weathertight, construction can proceed through the winter without grave concerns about the weather or any delays that it might cause.

The reconstruction of the Glaze Meadow Recreation Complex is one phase of a $12 million renovation and improvement campaign that has been entirely funded by Black Butte Ranch property owners. Future phases include a Welcome Center, a Community Center and new maintenance and housekeeping facilities.