Project Description
The James Leach Aquatic & Recreation Center is located in Raeford, NC. The building is a two-story, 53,000 square feet steel frame and concrete structure skinned with full-height glass walls providing plenty of natural light and views of the surrounding site. The interior space features a Natatorium and Gymnasium, 6 multi-purpose rooms, (two of which are adjacent to the swimming pools for use as party rooms), a concession stand, locker rooms, and offices for the Hoke County Parks and Recreation Department. The Natatorium space houses a 7-lanes, a 75-yard-long competition swimming pool, and a separate recreation pool featuring a zero-entry ramp, spray features, and two exercise swimming lanes. The most exciting piece is the water slide that juts out of the facility and back into the pool area. A second-floor accessible spectator seating area provides individual seats for 200.
The Gymnasium contains a single, high-school regulation basketball court and two smaller cross-courts. The floor space can be converted for other sports such as volleyball and gymnastics. Telescoping bleachers provide seating space for 650 spectators. Above the gym floor is a 9’-0” wide walking/jogging track.