Gleason Family YMCA

YMCA Southcoast
Wareham, MA
Fall 2004

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Supported by an overwhelmingly enthusiastic community in need of space for youth and family activities, this facility revolves around the con­cept that growth will happen quickly and space requirements will rapidly expand. Planned to be a full service YMCA, the programming includes a swimming pool, gymnasium, wellness center, climbing wall, aerobics rooms, computer room, meeting room, youth room, child care facilities, administra­tion, skate park and walking trails. Sixteen months after the original building was completed, CIVITECTS has already added a Wellness Addition. The project increases the existing Wellness Center’s area by 50% and houses a new free weight room for cardiovascular and resistance training. Also, under construction is a new Expansion that will expand the gymnasium, add an indoor track, additional locker rooms, and an outdoor swimming pool.

Natural light filters into the interior of the building through a spinal cor­ridor along which program spaces are organized for easy user naviga­tion. Judicious placement of exte­rior and interior windows provides a clear sense of openness fostering social connection among visitors.