Curious about how a simple structure can inspire school pride? That’s precisely what the Alex G. Spanos Athletic Performance Center achieves. This state-of-the-art facility supports UC San Diego’s sports programs. It was built to aid their move up to Division One competition.
The Spanos Athletic Performance Center stands on the northern edge of the UC San Diego campus. It overlooks the Triton Track and Field Stadium. Adjacent to it is the original training facility. Alex Spanos donated that facility to the university in the 1990s. He contributed greatly to funding this new center. Thus, it bears his name.
Ground was broken in June 2015. The official opening was celebrated in October of the same year. The 4.3 million dollar center includes 6,700 square feet of new floor space. It also renovated the existing Alex G. Spanos Training Facility. This combines for a total of 12,000 square feet.
The center features zones for strength and conditioning. It also provides areas for athletic training and rehabilitation. You will also find an outdoor conditioning plaza. There are offices and a conference room too.
Specific amenities include 15 Hammer Strength Power Racks. Keiser Functional Trainers are also present. You’ll find Tendo units and Wattbikes. A 12-person hydro tub and an AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill complete the offerings.
Dean Spanos, chairman of the San Diego Chargers, and his family made it possible. They made it possible with a lead gift of $500,000. The Spanos family patriarch is honored by the center’s name.
The Alex G. Spanos Athletic Performance Center has won several awards. These include an American Institute of Architects California Council Merit Award. It also received a USG NACDA Sustainability Award. The San Diego Architectural Foundation gave it an Orchid Award.
Tilt-up panel construction was selected for its durability and economy. It also provides visual strength. Manipulating the shape transformed an ordinary construction type. It became sophisticated with texture and relief. Gaps between the panels are filled with glazing. This provides plenty of daylight inside.
Bright yellow perforated metal exterior sunshades control daylight. A deep south-facing overhang helps too. Skylights sized to fit within the panelized roof structural system provide diffused light.
Entering from the north, athletes find a warm-up stretching area. This leads to a workout area with strength training equipment. Athletes can move south to the courtyard. There they find erg machines for cardio workouts. Finally, they move inside the renovated building. This is for performance testing and physical therapy.
The Spanos Athletic Performance Center is open to recreation users. These hours are in the evenings and some weekend hours. Certified coaches oversee the facility. They provide orientations for first-time users. The facility focuses on lifting. It’s great for learning new lifting techniques.