recreation

Andover YMCA

The Andover Branch of the Greater Wichita YMCA originally opened in 2009. It is a centerpiece of the Andover community. At 118,000 square feet, the Andover YMCA is the successful integration of modern design with the demands of a high impact recreational facility. When disaster struck in the form of a tornado in 2022, Schaefer team was brought in begin building back the once great space.

Certain areas of the building required more attention due to the storm damage. New features were added throughout the facility. The reimagined family center exhibits a 44-foot custom Luckey Climber at the heart of its radial design, with surrounding multi-use areas. Terraced seating platforms, playful stretches of berm, mini putt-putt, café seating around a fireplace, and a complimentary coffee kiosk are new amenities that can now be found. Adjacent is 'The Pavilion,' a multipurpose studio providing space for programs and events, with garage doors installed along its length to extend activities into the newly-energized family center space. In addition to these updates, the existing racquetball courts were converted into a tumbling center with an improved viewing area for onlooking parents.

An expanded family-friendly locker room was created to allow more space and supervision, equipped with private changing rooms and showers, increased vanity space, and accessible phenolic lockers with re-settable combination locks.

An aesthetic refresh was implemented throughout the redesign of the building, creating a bright and inviting space for all to enjoy. These details are visible in every corner of the facility, but boldly stand out in spaces like the iconic YMCA-branded waterwall feature that adorns the lobby, updated to reflect the new color scheme and logo. Various interior finishes breathe new air into the facility, including sleek ceramic tile flooring on the first floor, high-performance carpet and rubber athletic flooring on the second floor, a lustrous poured track surface, beautiful wall graphics, energy-saving LED lighting, modernized functional furnishings and millwork, as well as updated play structures and sprays in the indoor pool area.

Read more about Schaefer Architecture and the work we did with Greater Wichita YMCA to restore and improve the Andover YMCA after disaster struck.