The University of Texas at Tyler created a 10-year strategic plan that included student-life enhancement by providing a recreation/study center. This led to the $19.3 million Louise Herrington Patriot Center built by C Construction Co., Inc. (Tyler, Texas).
The 127,000-square-foot Patriot Center is the largest facility on campus. It houses the Jean Lancaster Academic Wing, Maytee Fisch Convocation Center, Meadows Student Lounge, Vaughn Recreational and Therapy Pool, and a fitness center. Classrooms and labs for the department of health and kinesiology were designed into the academic wing. Research and teaching labs include a biomechanical/anatomy lab and an exercise physiology lab.
The 30,000-square-foot Fisch Convocation Center has three full basketball/volleyball courts, 2,000 seats with backs, a ceiling-suspended scoreboard and custom sound system. The Vaughn Recreation and Therapy Pool area features include a zero-grade entry, heated pool and spa, two-lane lap pool and sundeck.
Students also benefit from 6,340 square feet of exercise equipment and cardio theater comprising the fitness area. Also included are racquetball courts, a dance studio, a recreation programming room and an overhead track.
The primary architect for this project is Hastings & Chivetta (St. Louis). The associate architectural firm is Wiginton Hooker Jeffry (Dallas).
