The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids has partnered with Caledonia Community Schools (CCS) to build and jointly operate a new, state-of-the-art recreation facility serving both students and community members in Caledonia, Michigan.

This 4,366-m² (47,000-sf) facility will house a fitness and wellness area, a kids’ zone, a basketball court, an indoor track, as well as a splash pad and pool.

To design a space conducive to play and exercise, high-quality daylight was diffused throughout the facility.

The project prioritized incorporating the school district’s signature purple color, which was integrated throughout indoor areas such as the indoor track and bathroom tile.

To deliver an innovative aesthetic, Stantec and C2AE Architecture created a cantilevered translucent form over the facility’s main entryway. This nature-inspired prism element, which mimics the refraction created when sunlight strikes water, provides an uplifting daylit environment for guests.

The design team integrated 232 m² (2,500 sf) of polycarbonate wall systems into the building envelope. These translucent wall assemblies distribute uniform, diffuse natural daylight into the facility while delivering thermal performance and limiting solar heat gain. The result is a bright, comfortable environment that supports rigorous exercise and community programs without visual discomfort or major temperature fluctuations.