Bedford Center YMCA Bedford, Texas

Project Description:

The Bedford Center YMCA sits within the newly reimagined Generations Park in Bedford, with the facility designed to appeal to all age groups. The active side of the building features indoor and outdoor aquatics, party rooms, a child watch room, a gymnasium, aerobics and exercise rooms, locker rooms and other support spaces. The more passive side of the facility contains a large community hall, arts and crafts rooms, a lounge, a library, offices, a kitchen and meeting rooms.

The facility replaces an aging recreation center known as the Bedford Boys Ranch. Elements of this historic structure were incorporated into the Y’s design. Stone from the old building was used to create a new fireplace, the unique tilting flag pole was reutilized, and segments of the Boys Ranch basketball court are now found in the lobby floor, counter and table tops, and in other parts of the facility.

The building was designed to engage the outdoors and surrounding park. North- and south-facing windows flood the interior with natural light. The community hall features floor-to-ceiling glass that opens onto a covered porch overlooking a large event lawn and lake beyond. Arts and crafts rooms feature north-facing glass walls that open onto outdoor porches. A series of party rooms are positioned between the indoor and outdoor aquatics areas and feature outdoor “parent porches” where moms and dads can talk in the shade while keeping an eye on their children close by. Finally, the exercise rooms are located adjacent to an outdoor fitness porch for morning yoga, tai chi or other functions.