Olathe Community Center

Olathe, Kansas

A community gathering space that leverages materials and forms to complement the natural beauty of an adjacent park

SFS Architecture, as part of a multi-disciplined team, provided comprehensive architectural engineering services for a new 72,000 square foot community recreation and aquatic center anchoring the 41-acre Stagecoach Park in Olathe, Kansas. The center is designed to create strong relationships between interior and exterior space through site orientation, views and connecting spaces such as canopies, patios and sundecks. Its use of wood, stone and glass under a sweeping curved roof complements the natural beauty of the park.

Indoor recreation components include multi-activity court gymnasiums, elevated walking and jogging track, fitness center, aerobics and dance studios, locker rooms, and a natatorium that includes lap swimming, beach-style leisure pool, interactive play features, flume slides, rope climbing and bouldering walls.

The center also includes administration offices, a divisible community room, catering prep kitchen, children’s party rooms, a child watch area with indoor play, and a spacious lobby overlooking the park.

The Olathe Community Center has experienced great success since its opening. In the first six months of operation, more than 1,600 membership units were sold, 500 day pass visits purchased each week, 308 birthday parties celebrated, 292 special meetings and event rentals occurred, 413 swim lesson participants, and 702 group exercise class participants.