LPA Sport + Recreation Practice Expands into New States

LPA’s Sport + Recreation team recently grew its national portfolio of competitive and recreational aquatics, stadiums and multi-sport complexes with the addition of a planned aquatic center in Payson, Arizona. LPA now has aquatic facility projects in design or under construction in California, Texas, Oregon, Washington and Arizona.

In the last five years, the Sport + Rec practice has grown an estimated 400% in overall scale, scope, and revenue. The array of work includes aquatic centers, stadiums, arenas, ballfield complexes, and recreation centers on behalf of a range of clients, from cities and counties to school districts, colleges, and tribal entities.

“Our commitment to service, integrated approach and deep knowledge of recreation and athletic facilities is resonating with recreation managers,” Izadi says. “We are comprehensive in everything we do, and our clients appreciate that.”

Recently completed high-performance facilities include the new Los Medanos College PE Complex, the Saddleback High School Stadium and the West Hollywood Recreation and Aquatic Center. Each was the result of an extensive community engagement as part of an integrated, research-driven design process.

The Sport + Rec practice’s new work include a community pool renovation project in South Kitsap, Washington; a new natatorium for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, in northeast Oregon; a renovation of the Tom Muhlenberg Recreation Center, in Plano, Texas; Mount Saint Mary’s University Wellness Center and a high-profile expansion of UC San Diego’s Rimac Arena, among others.

The new Payson complex focuses on recreation amenities for the community, including a natatorium with both competitive and recreational water; a multi-court gymnasium; fitness areas; dance, group exercise and art studios; teen room and an indoor track.

LPA’s takes an informed design approach to projects, engaging in a deep dive into the needs of each community. The outreach process provides a variety of tools for the community to engage in a process that best works for them. The goal is to develop a clear understanding of site selection, budgeting, operational costs, staffing programs and cost recovery models.

“This level of service makes for better performing projects that are authored by the community,” Izadi says.