Western Washington University
Recreation Feasibility Analysis, Programming, and Referendum Support
Bellingham, WA
Brailsford & Dunlavey was retained by Western Washington University in the fall of 1999 to provide a feasibility study for a new student recreation center. The University recognized that outdated facilities could no longer meet the needs of the campus population.
B&D's scope included a detailed market analysis of peer institutions, concept development focus groups, off-campus health club analysis, a telephone survey to assess student demand for recreational activities and services, demand-based programming of activities based on the survey, and the development of an outline program reconciling demand with current supply. The survey included testing student tolerances for various fee levels and project concepts. After the feasibility study was completed, B&D developed a detailed program of architectural requirements and site analysis.
The project was funded by a dedicated $80 per quarter fee levied on each student. The students approved the fee in a referendum vote in the spring of 2000. As a result, the $26 million, 100,000 gross square foot Wade King Student Recreation Center was completed in 2003. In 2004, it earned the Outstanding Sports Facility Award from the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA).
And in 2007, the Center received LEED "Silver" certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
