Ford Recreation Center
Grand Rapids, MI | Completed October 2025
Originally constructed in 1976, the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse has long served as a center for athletics and wellness at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC).
Today, the former natatorium has been transformed into a modern recreation center that supports the whole student experience, creating new opportunities for wellness, connection, recreation, and learning.
Guided by GRCC’s commitment to student success, the renovation reimagines underutilized space as a welcoming campus destination. The renewed Ford Recreation Center includes an 8,200 SF indoor turf field, expanded fitness areas, student lounges, study spaces, Zoom rooms, and athletic offices. Designed as a campus “third place,” the facility offers students a flexible environment where health, community, and academics can intersect throughout the day.
Sports & Recreation
Reimagined Through Stewardship
GRCC reimagined the existing facility to create new opportunities for recreation, wellness, and connection. The former pool became an indoor turf field, racquetball courts were transformed into a fitness center, and reclaimed materials, including pool bleacher wood, were incorporated throughout the building as custom seating and architectural accents.
Sustainability remained a key priority, with enhanced daylighting, energy-efficient systems, a reflective roof, and native landscaping supporting both environmental performance and occupant well-being. The project is pursuing two Green Globes certifications, reinforcing GRCC’s commitment to long-term stewardship.
A Campus Destination for Wellness and Connection
Designed to support the whole student experience, the Ford Recreation Center provides flexible spaces for recreation, wellness, learning, and connection. Enhanced daylight, improved circulation, and new gathering spaces transformed the facility into a welcoming hub that strengthens campus life while extending the value of an existing campus asset. As a campus “third place,” the center encourages students to connect, collaborate, and thrive beyond the classroom.
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