LOCATION
Thornton, Colorado
OWNER
City of Thornton, Colorado
SQUARE FOOTAGE
26,300
CONSTRUCTION COST
$13.2 million
COMPLETION
2020

BACKGROUND
The old Senior Center located at 9471 Dorothy Boulevard could no longer serve the growing programs. Equipped and ready for a new building, a site was selected at Carpenter Park on the top of the hill next to Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center. The design team engaged the community in two months of outreach, including four public open houses, multiple facility tours, and an online survey to address community needs. The resulting input helped solidify a program that meets the community’s active adult needs now and well into the future.

Designed to enhance the lives of the active adults in the community, the building program focuses on social spaces, learning and making spaces, mind and body wellness, and active fitness spaces.

Community Spaces: events hall with commercial kitchen and event stage, lounge with library and coffee bar, community classrooms, a teaching kitchen, and a wet arts & crafts space

• Wellness: therapy rooms, massage rooms and consultation space
• Recreation: fitness facility and exercise studios

The emphasis on acoustics, accessibility, and physical comfort ensures the design team customized every space to the active adult user group. The traditional forms of the building architecture include a modern twist in the materials and detailing. On the interior, windows or screens made of an aspen leaf pattern help give a vibrant and transparent feeling to the space. It is a place to gather that embraces you in warmth and comfort. The new building includes a large front porch where people can sit and relax.