Gibbs Recreation Center earns award for project excellence

FROM RICE NEWS STAFF REPORTS

Rice has garnered another award for one of its recently completed construction projects. The Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center, which opened last fall, has won an APEX — Awards for Project Excellence — from the Associated General Contractors of America’s Houston chapter.

The APEX recognizes and honors firms for their excellence in construction, their valuable contributions to the community and their demonstrated commitment to skill, integrity and responsibility. Winners are chosen by a panel of judges based on quality of workmanship, contribution to the community and/or environment, timely completion, difficulty of construction and unique qualifications of the project.

The two-story, 103,000-square-foot recreation center was completed in 17 months and earned silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, an internationally recognized green standard for buildings. The facility features a 2,400-square-foot recreation pool bedecked with a row of palm trees, a 50-meter competition pool, two indoor and two outdoor basketball courts, an indoor soccer and hockey arena, four racquetball courts, two squash courts, a 9,000-square foot weight and cardio workout room and four multipurpose rooms for group fitness and dance classes.

The award will be presented at an industry celebration Sept. 16 honoring APEX winners.

Members of the Rice community can check out the Rec Center facilities at an open house Sept. 15 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.