Welcome to the Apex Center.

The center is a dynamic mix of a typical recreation center, a family entertainment center and an indoor amusement center. Sort of a recreation center that goes Disney.

The Apex Center, one of the country's newest recreation centers to come on line, may well redefine recreation centers and facilities to follow. Owned and operated by the North Jeffco Park and Recreation District, Apex is indeed a trend-setter.

North Jeffco, currently celebrating its 45th year, is nestled on the fringe of the Rocky Mountains northwest of Denver. It comprises sixty-three square miles with a residential population of 115,000, and the Apex Center is located near the district's geographical center.

According to Rob Robinson, the district's executive director, the center -- which he and his staff masterminded -- is a dynamic mix of a typical recreation center, a family entertainment center and an indoor amusement center. Sort of a "recreation center that goes Disney" is how Robinson most often describes it. "Today's `virtual reality' society expects entertainment to involve constant and dramatic stimulation. A standard recreation center does not meet that expectation," Robinson added.

Robinson first began the concepts and plans for the recreation center in the early 1990s when he was executive director for the Vail Recreation District. The catalyst was the addition of high-speed quad lifts. These lifts allowed guests to ski more in less time and as a result, they had more time for other leisure pursuits on their Vail vacations. At the time the Vail Valley was also promoting Vail as a great place to vacation in the summer. However, they did not have any type of recreation center (since then a center has been built by the town of Avon).

Robinson wanted to create a recreation center that was a true family gathering spot. However, the seed that germinated in Vail did not go beyond the concept stage, as Robinson accepted an executive director position in June 1995 at North Jeffco Park and Recreation District.

The district's board of directors caught the excitement of the idea during the hiring process, according to Jan Eckhardt, vice president of the board in 1995 and currently serving as secretary/treasurer. "We considered several well-qualified applicants, but Rob came in with great enthusiasm. He had a mental plan of what Jeffco needed for the next 20-25 years, and the number one proposal was a large magnet community center. We had a number of dispersed facilities offering different activities. The magnet center would consolidate lots of activities under one roof to give families choices." The board and the community had certainly discussed this type of center for some time, but according to Eckhardt, "it never really got beyond the discussion stage." Thus began the five year journey from dream to 168,500 square feet of reality.

Funding and Needs Assessment

In September 1996, the board and staff began the process of assessment; deciding what new or improved facilities were required in order to meet community needs. The staff gathered a group of citizens to assist the district with this evaluation process, and a series of community meetings further defined the future of recreation in the community.

Two surveys, conducted in early 1997, provided valuable information on North Jeffco residents' recreational habits, what kinds of improvements they'd like to see, and what features they would prefer in a new magnet center. "When asking for a tax increase, it's essential to present voters with a clear picture of how their individual needs will be met, how their lives will improve as a result, and exactly what they are buying with their vote and the subsequent increase in tax dollars," Robinson explained.

One of the first community needs to be identified was two new ice rinks. The district's existing rink was over 25 years old, in need of a major renovation and booked to capacity with long waiting lines. So an early decision was whether to build the two ice rinks first and then a separate center, or attempt to build a giant center that would include everything, including the two ice rinks.

An analysis of these two options confirmed staff's belief that two separate facilities would cause significant duplication of construction costs, and that the district could achieve significant economies of scale by operating one very large center.

After choosing the "all-in-one" option, the challenge to the staff and architects was to create a very large facility with significantly different venues and the unique mechanical requirements of two ice rinks and five pools all under the same roof. Also, the facility's size caused numerous program concerns such as how to accommodate drop-in visitors to the ice arena, while also accommodating those attending programmed activities such as skating and swim lessons and having a daily paid visitor entrance.

Dave Hammel, Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture P.C. partner and chief architect on the Apex Center project, explained some of the unique design issues. "The Apex Center was challenging, in both physical layout and technical system requirements. The center needed controlled access points for the lower level activity spaces and access to the twin ice rinks, while also requiring a separate entrance for hockey teams. With these separate entrances, more than a football field apart, a central `Galleria' circulation space was designed to connect them all together on two separate floors."

Hammel further explained, "North Jeffco knew this center was going to be special and as a result very popular. Therefore they wanted to achieve 95% room utilization. The guest access needs were complex; for example, how to keep drop-in basketball separate from league play and how to ensure Apex customers have access to drop in skating while conducting swim lessons for non-Apex customers. This proved to be a challenge throughout the design phase of construction."

The other big challenge posed for the design team was the technical aspect of combining all of the features under one roof, Hammel noted. "This facility's combination of `dry,' `wet' and `ice' activity areas posed unique environmental requirements. The aquatics park, with five separate pools and twenty-five different water features, creates a tremendous humidity load. This humidity needs to be contained and controlled within the aquatics area through air pressurization, dehumidification, and sealed walls. The ice rinks, by contrast, have very low air temperatures and potentially high humidity as well. These are controlled with desiccant humidification equipment and infrared heaters. With their diverse needs for heating, air conditioning, humidity control and air pressurization, the technical HVAC systems were complex. In addition, the building is large, 168,500 square feet, so besides the ice and water areas there is still a great amount of additional square footage that requires unique environmental comfort needs. The aerobics and gym areas need to be cool while patrons are exercising, and yet adjacent pool locker areas need to be warm. However, these challenges were met with creative strategic planning, and sophisticated mechanical operating and control systems."

Campaign Themes and Strategies

Along with the facility design, the campaign theme of "What's In It For You?" began to take shape. The board and staff realized the need for each member of the voting population to understand their stake in the proposed tax increase -- the benefits of recreation. The question "What's In It For You?" spoke to taxpayers' expectations of a great value for their dollars, and it also gave the district a launching pad from which to address the needs of each demographic groups: youth, seniors, the sports community, and others.

While the "all-in-one" recreation center became the centerpiece of the bond issue, the community had also cited other recreational needs. In the summer of 1997, the board of directors and staff identified four components to the proposed bond issue and set the dollar amount at $25 million, which would effectively double the tax burden on district residents.

With the bond issue components established, staff took the idea to the community, hosting more than a dozen town meetings through the spring and summer of 1997. Citizens offered their input on everything from site selection and design to the building's color, referencing detailed preliminary drawings provided by the selected architectural firm, Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture. "North Jeffco's approach was unique in that they involved the community from the very beginning of the design process, and completed the design development phase in order to show residents an exact picture of what was being proposed," said Hammel. "The staff and board worked hard at gathering facts while also educating the public."

These and other efforts by the campaign committee, Recreate North Jeffco, paid off as the issue passed by a 2 to 1 margin.

Theming the Apex Center

After the election, staff immediately began developing more detailed plans for the center. From the beginning, the vision and energy coalesced around the idea of an all-in-one recreation center, a family and community gathering place overlaid with entertainment features and an exciting visual theme.

"There's great pride in the Arvada community -- both in the present and in the past," Robinson said. "The sense of who we are and were, along with the beauty of our state, led us to the theme of colorful Colorado and the area's mining heritage. Arvada was the site of the state's first gold discovery in 1850 on Ralston Creek, which you can actually see about a quarter-mile from the Apex Center."

The first glimpse of the mining theme can be seen just outside the center's main entrance, a picturesque ore cart surrounded by pine trees and native rock. Two spectacular natural waterfalls, cascading out from natural rock and driftwood, also greet visitors at the entrance.

Just inside the front doors on the left, another rock waterfall greets guests as they begin their visual feast. Natural stone floors and walls enhance the sense of mountain beauty. The different venue signs use copper accents and an antique finish. Throughout the center, the color palette, with dominant shades of blues, greens, golds and purples, echoes the mountain/mining theme.

The visual impact intensifies when guests enter the front doors of Apex, and they're drawn in to attraction after attraction on two different levels before they're charged daily admission. "Early in the planning process, we opted for a `soft' admission design," said Kris Smith, Apex Center manager. "We wanted guests to have a chance to participate in all the sights and sounds of Apex. The excitement is contagious." For maximum guest convenience, registration, annual pass sales and guest services are located near the front entrance. However, guests can stroll the entire length of the upstairs and downstairs gallerias without paying a cent. The admissions area for daily participants is located downstairs at the western end of the lower level, about as far from the front door as it can be.

This design also allowed North Jeffco to have numerous venues with separate entrances. For example, guests can go skating without paying to use the rest of the center. Also, the teen center, community lounge and children's adventure center are all located in the upper galleria and are free to guests.

This strategy has worked extremely well. "The only drawback has been that the line between observer and participant gets a little blurry at times," Smith said. "They're in here for a while, experiencing lots of activities before they reach the admissions desk. Sometimes it seems that they are so enthralled that they forget about the idea of paying."

Apex Venues

Beginning at the entrance and all along the upstairs galleria, one can hear the "oohs" and "aahs" of guests as they look down into the 23,000 square foot aquatic entertainment center. The indoor water playground and slide pool portray the idea of a mining village, complete with buildings and equipment. The rock landscaping creates a natural sound buffer along with a visual sense of bringing the outdoors to the indoors. The area is superbly lit, thanks to windows that fill the entire southern side. The theming area is still maturing, according to Robinson. "Going back to the Disney concept, we attempted to create a theme `transition zone' where guests go from a frontier experience to a futuristic experience. As time and money become available, we will add new themed elements."

The western part of the aquatics area contains two 150-foot slides, a water basketball/volleyball area and a vortex area where swimmers can walk against the current for exercise and therapy, or drift with the current for fun.

The two winding slides in the activity pool provide guests with an extra thrill toward the end of the ride as they exit and re-enter the building for a darkened "mining tunnel" experience. "This is an exciting effect, but it was actually an unintended design consequence", according to Mike Miles, recreation superintendent. "There wasn't enough room inside the building to get in all the turns and the length we wanted, so we opted to `think outside the box.'"

On the east end is a four-lane lap pool for swimming and exercise. Next to it, the adult spa is nestled among rocks, trees and other natural features. The family spa, also reflecting the natural mountain theme, faces the bank of windows to the south.

The central play pool has a zero-depth area and is dominated by an indoor water playground SCS 235 unit, which has never before been assembled indoors. Its mining-themed collection of slides, ladders, fountains and geysers, has also surpassed expectations of popularity. "This unit works really well with the deck design and zero-depth area parents and kids can be in the water together and have a great time," said Miles.

Besides the play pool structure, the other moving water attractions have been more popular than anticipated, said Miles. "The vortex area, which we thought would be used mainly for hydrotherapy, has turned out to be a fun place for kids to enjoy a lazy river experience." Nearby are some tethered floating logs where kids can have fun testing their balance. "That turned out to be an excellent use of space a well as a very popular attraction," Miles said.

The aquatics area, like the rest of Apex, is a blend of recreation and entertainment. It has the look, feel and features of a waterpark, and because of that, the district recently changed its lifeguarding to Jeff Ellis & Associates, which has 97% of U.S. waterparks as its clients. This change was recommended by North Jeffco's aquatics director, Gavin Attwood, who came to the district from Splash Planet, a 15-acre waterpark in Hastings, New Zealand.

Getting the theming elements to harmonize with the functions of the different venues proved to be a challenge during the design and construction, according to Dave Hammel of BRS. "One unique aspect to the design of the Apex Center was the integration of theme elements into the overall project. We collaborated with two separate theming consultants and two special theming contractors. The challenge for all of us was trying to comply with building and fire codes, while at the same time trying to be sure the materials could withstand the harsh environment and humidity of the pool area, as well as surviving the wrath of a gang of 10 year olds. It took a group effort, as not any one entity could pull it off by themselves. The result is a pretty durable, yet fun and entertaining environment."

Fun and durability also collaborate in the "Apex Clubhouse Adventure Playground," the spacious indoor playground near the front entrance. It's free, and practically irresistible to young children as they enter the building. It was designed and built by Scene Art, a Phoenix, Arizona company specializing in creating theme environments for museums, zoos and corporate entities such as Motorola and Xerox. Owner Robert Farthing also has a background in set design for commercials, feature films and theater. "The Kids' Clubhouse was designed to be very interactive, with lots of units for spinning, twisting and what we call `kidergy'," Farthing said. The structures are inviting and welcoming for active imaginations of all ages; in fact, the Apex Clubhouse doesn't look complete unless it's occupied by enthusiastic and energetic children.

In the Apex Clubhouse, as in the rest of the center, staff input played a big part in the design and final appearance. Farthing recalls the creative process: "[North Jeffco executive director] Rob and I sat down and talked about how this would look ... a clubhouse theme with a little bit of cartooning mixed in. We pulled together photo references of treehouses in back yards to give a kid-built look to the area. We added elements that might be in a clubhouse, and topped it all off with a cartoony twist."

Soft Play, the playground equipment manufacturer, provided the actual playground structures of tubes, ladders and slides. The theme elements, overlaid on the playground structure by Scene Art, are made of different materials depending upon their height. "Everything where kids have access is all soft urethane sculpture. Things that are up high and out of the way are a more rigid fire-rated foam," Farthing explained.

As with the rest of the center, the Apex Clubhouse is a result of vision, energy and cooperation. "I've never worked on a project where construction teams worked so well together. The camaraderie and teamwork really stood out and made it very special," Farthing said. "This is definitely the most unique theme play unit in the entire country -- a total immersion environment," he added.

The Apex Clubhouse is not only visually unique, it's also free. As the construction process unfolded around the "soft admission" concept, the staff decided the Apex Clubhouse should be free, just like any neighborhood playground. Staff's vision was to create a venue so exciting that the kids would be dragging their parents to the center.

Just a few yards down the hall from the Apex Clubhouse is another area that draws the eye and invites participation, the fitness area and climbing wall. This large, open area is dominated by a natural rock wall that underscores the Colorado theme. Again, the wall is a unique design created specifically for Apex. It was designed and assembled by California-based Sport Rock to look like a natural rock wall with natural crevices and holds.

Adjacent to the cardiovascular/ weight area are three gyms for basketball or volleyball -- a single gym and a double gym that can be used as one unit or split in half depending on use. Portable seating is available for maximum flexibility. Above the three gyms is a walking/running track for a comfortable, safe workout.

Just north and east of the gyms is the Edge, North Jeffco's newest teen center. There's an outdoor balcony, a powerful sound system, computer lab with internet access, arcade area, games, refreshments and lounge area. The Edge draws a crowd after school and also on the second and fourth Saturday nights -- Teen Night at Apex. From 8:30 pm to 11 pm on those evenings, the Apex Center is reserved exclusively for ages 9-15.

Like the Apex Clubhouse, the Edge is free to guests; no admission fee is required except for the Saturday teen nights. "Teens, perhaps more than any other age group, are always looking for a good place to get together. North Jeffco also operates Secrest Teen center on the east side of Arvada, and our two teen centers have expanded options for Arvada teens, especially those who don't drive," Robinson said.

In the first six months of operation, the Apex ice arenas have instantly captured the attention of local, regional and national skaters. In April, for example, the district hosted the USA Hockey Midget Tier Two National Championships, and the center's September grand opening featured Olympic champion Brian Orser and two U.S. figure skating champions, Matthew Savoie and Deanna Stellato.

Having two rinks allows for refinements to the ice surfaces and maximum scheduling flexibility to best fit different user groups: figure skaters, hockey players and those using the rink for public skating. The ice area has its own entrance/drop-off for user convenience, but it's also accessible from other parts of the Apex Center.

Revenue Expectations

The Apex Center is a recreation/ entertainment hybrid and that applies to the revenue aspect as well. The state's revenue code allows for the creation of "enterprise funds" within the special district structure; this arrangement enables facilities like Apex to operate much like a private business. The center earns 100% of its revenue from user fees, as opposed to most of North Jeffco's other facilities which receive an average of about 30% of their revenue from property taxes. The enterprise fund designation means that any profits from Apex Center can be used as the district sees fit, earnings are not subject to the stringent guidelines established for facilities utilizing tax dollars to operate.

"The size and scope of Apex, as well as its status as an enterprise fund, make it vitally important that the center meets its revenue projections," said Robinson. "In the three months we were open in 2000, we brought in revenues of nearly $1 million with a net profit of $170,000. As awareness builds, Apex visitors are on the rise. In fact, we broke our attendance record on Presidents Day, when over 3,000 people visited the center."

If the reactions of first-time visitors are any indication, most people fall in love with Apex and if you'd like to see Apex for yourself, we have good news for you. NRPA 2001 conference delegates will enjoy free admission to the Apex Center, just show your NRPA badge. It's another great reason to come to Denver in October! This incredible facility will captivate you for hours, not only are its features and appearance stunning, but at 168,500 square feet, it's presently the largest municipal recreation center in the U.S. Come to Denver and see it for yourself! In the meantime, visit our website at www.apexcenter.org. Be sure to click on the "tour the facility" button on the features page for a glimpse of Apex at its best.

Rob Robinson and Faith Gregor are the authors of "Welcome to the Apex Center!" on page 46. Rob is currently executive director for North Jeffco Park and Recreation District in Arvada, Colorado, a position he has held since 1995. Robinson administers all aspects of park, recreation, and open space for this large district that encompasses 60 square miles, a residential population of 115,000, and an operating budget of approximately $15 million. Rob also served as executive director for the Vail Parks and Recreation District, Vail, Colorado; community recreation manager for the U.S. Civil Service, New Ulm, Germany; and chief of recreation with the State Department of Natural Resources, Jefferson City, Missouri, from 1985 to 1987. Rob holds a B.S. and a M.S. in Parks and Recreation Administration from the University of Missouri. Faith is marketing manager for North Jeffco Park and Recreation District, a position she has held since 1995. She oversees all aspects of communication at North Jeffco, as well as media and community relations. In 1988, North Jeffco received three NRPA Kudos awards for marketing excellence; best overall communicator, best catalogue, and best short film. Prior to her position at North Jeffco, she was communications manager for a large Denver financial institution. Faith is experienced in the fields of advertising and communication. She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in journalism and graphic design.