| Romulus Recreation Center has soaring ambitions |
 The J.S. Vig Construction Co. is rocketing ahead with the aviation-themed Romulus Recreation Center, an $18-million project offering city residents a range of leisure and sports activities as well as panoramic views of take-offs and landings at Metro Airport.It’s almost an understatement to call the center “multi-purpose.” Along with an indoor track, a climbing wall, and work-out areas, it boasts several swimming areas, complete with water cannons and sprayers. The center also has multifunctional areas suited to weddings, birthday parties, and business meetings. Children will frolic in the swimming area or play sports in their kid-sized gymnasium. Serious fitness buffs will jog on the indoor track or play a tough game of volleyball or basketball in the larger gyms. City officials and community groups will hold meetings in the center’s multipurpose rooms. “This center was definitely a challenge because of all the different entities within the building,” said Dennis Levko, Vice President and project manager at J.S. Vig of Taylor, Mich. “But this center has been a dream for the City of Romulus for many years. As far as recreational facilities go, I believe it will place the city ahead of many, many other communities.” The 90,000-square-foot project at 35765 Northline Rd., near Wayne Road, has been designed with an aviation motif to reflect Romulus’s status as the home of Detroit Metropolitan Airport and gateway to the world. The new building is, in fact, the redevelopment of a 40,000 square-foot warehouse that the City of Romulus bought several years ago. The building had most recently been a distribution facility for steel products. “The architect did a great job of incorporating it into the overall structure, and the design blends in extremely well with the surrounding area” Levko said. J.S. Vig is fast-tracking its work on the Romulus Recreation Center to meet a tight deadline of Labor Day 2007 – no small feat given the project’s high-flying ambitions. J.S. Vig first bid on the project in late fall of 2005 and began work in April of 2006. As the pre-selected general contractor, it’s responsible for all aspects of construction. To meet this time schedule, it has had to undertake the construction in stages, handling each phase before designs were completed for the next one. That has called for careful planning and precise execution, Levko said. “We have been completing the job as the drawings have been done,” he said. “We have fast-tracked this project from ‘day one.’” As the project moves ahead, J.S. Vig will continue to tackle a wide range of facilities within the building. The center’s sports area includes two full-size gyms for basketball and/or volleyball, workout areas, a kid’s gym with adjustable basketball backboards, and an outdoor splash park, among other features. One indoor swimming pool is designed for laps and other serious swimming, while a zero-depth pool and a so-called “lazy river” of flowing water are intended for sheer watery delight. “In the zero-depth pool, it’s like walking into the water on the beach,” Levko said. “It only goes a few feet down.” The bathing area also features a large Jacuzzi/hot tub as well as a two-story, 30-foot slide with three large twists and turns heading down to the water. It may prove virtually impossible for most children to resist getting drenched. A six-foot-tall bucket “will dump 350 gallons of water onto a platform from 21 feet in the air,” and kids will rush under it for a good dousing, Levko said. “Then there will be areas just off the platform that spray water down onto the kids.” The indoor track and a lounge area will be on the building’s newly-built second floor – the perfect vantage point for watching airport arrivals and departures. “There are a lot of glass walls strategically placed on the east side of the facility, and you can watch airplanes taking off and landing as you are running around the track. The second floor elevation allows you to be high enough to look over the berm at the airport.” Other features are the multi-purpose rooms for parties and other activities, a teen center, and a day-care area. The Romulus Recreation Center has two kitchens, one for the concession area at the center of the building and the other near the multi-purpose rooms to provide banquet-style services when necessary. The project presented J.S. Vig with some special construction challenges, Levko said. As is the case with any redevelopment project, extra care was necessary to align the new construction with the imperfect existing structure. For Romulus Recreation Center, even something like a climbing wall required a unique approach: At the wall’s base, the floor has to be recessed about a foot to allow room for cushioning to prevent injuries in case of falls. J.S. Vig is also meeting the special requirements for swimming pools. Levko said it’s a challenge for mechanical systems to maintain the right temperature and humidity in pool environments. J.S. Vig is handling approvals from special State of Michigan authorities for swimming pools.It’s hard work, but assorted fitness buffs, weekend athletes and some completely drenched kids will no doubt be glad next fall that J.S. Vig was able to bring the project home. |
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what others are saying:
“With its tremendously skilled, hard-working team, J.S. Vig Construction helped fulfill the vision that the City of Romulus had in mind when we set out to build the Romulus Athletic Center. Thanks to J.S. Vig, the Romulus Athletic Center is now a beautiful, award-winning and popular athletic facility that has become the jewel in Romulus' crown.”
Tim Keyes
City of Romulus
Tim Keyes
City of Romulus
“It has been a pleasure working with J.S. Vig on numerous projects over the past few years. They exhibit professionalism and honesty in their work, along with a willingness to look at options and alternate approaches to make project happen and succeed.”
David Esau, AIA, LEED AP
Cornerstone Design Inc
David Esau, AIA, LEED AP
Cornerstone Design Inc
“ J.S. Vig is a company that is easy to work with because of their integrity. Our two firms have prospered from an over 30-year relationship, including many projects and personnel, which could not have happened without ongoing dedication to quality and honesty.”
David Zanely, LEED AP
Wilkie & Zanley Architects, A Sidock Company
David Zanely, LEED AP
Wilkie & Zanley Architects, A Sidock Company
“I have enjoyed over a 20-year relationship, built on honesty and professionalism, with J.S. Vig Construction Company.”
John Wilkie, AIA
Wilkie & Zanely Architects, A Sidock Company
John Wilkie, AIA
Wilkie & Zanely Architects, A Sidock Company
“J. S. Vig Construction Company has built over 500,000 sf for Avis Farms. We have found their staff and subcontractors to be honest, creative and responsive in meeting our aggressive project goals.”
Trish Kalmbach
BOSC Equities
Trish Kalmbach
BOSC Equities
“…Simply one of the most organized and talented construction teams that I have had the pleasure of working with in 25 years.”
Greg Heil
President, Heil Partnership
Greg Heil
President, Heil Partnership
“J.S. Vig Construction Company is honest, efficient, responsive, and completes each project with the client's needs in mind.”
Jerry Reinhart
President, Pomeroy Investment Company
Jerry Reinhart
President, Pomeroy Investment Company
“While this was an extremely difficult project in terms of phasing and working around our children, the employees of J.S. Vig did an outstanding job!”
Kurt M. Sebaly M. Ed.
Pentickton Center for Blind Children
Kurt M. Sebaly M. Ed.
Pentickton Center for Blind Children
“Through the entire pre-construction and warranty phases, your people have been responsive, professional, and cost-efficient. I would welcome the opportunity to recommend your firm and look forward to working together in the future.”
Larry Reed
Metavante Corporation
Larry Reed
Metavante Corporation
