At the 2010 Ohio Parks & Recreation Association Conference and Trade Show in Akron, Peter Krajnak and Alan McKnight, Director of the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks, accepted the OPRA Award of Excellence for the Whetstone Community Center.
The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association has awarded Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc. and the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks with a 2009 Award of Excellence for the renovation and expansion of the Whetstone Community Center in Clintonville. The project won a first place “Superior” ranking in its category.
As part of the 2009 Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Annual Conference, Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc. hosted a tour of the Whetstone Community Center. The tour focused on the sustainable elements that were incorporated into the recent renovation and expansion.
The Clintonville community celebrated the completion of the Whetstone Community Center renovation and expansion at the September 6, 2008 Rededication Ceremony. Speakers included Michael B. Coleman, Mayor of the City of Columbus; Priscilla R. Tyson, Councilwoman; Kathy Duffy Espy, President of Recreation and Parks Commission; Betsy Hubbard, Chair of Whetstone Recreation Initiative; Jim Kozelek, President of Whetstone Community Recreation Council and Alan McKnight, Director of Columbus Recreation and Parks.
With the renovation and expansion of the facility, the fifty year old former recreation center was renamed the Whetstone Community Center. This was in response to the 9,660 square foot addition, which includes the new Multi-Purpose and Community Rooms. The Multi-Purpose Room’s large wrap-around corner windows allow for the public to see the activities occurring within the facility while providing daylight and views from within. The Community Room, which was funded by a community based fundraising campaign, will accommodate senior activities, parties, community meetings and activities.
Renovations in the existing building include a new centralized control desk providing line-of-sight monitoring of corridors and entrances, upgraded power, lighting and HVAC systems and new finishes in classrooms, auditorium, kitchen and offices. A new elevator and restrooms contribute to improving the accessibility of the facility. The roof above the Multi-Purpose and Community Rooms is a vegetated roof that contributes to the sustainable design and energy savings for the facility.
Now that construction at the Whetstone Recreation Center in Clintonville is complete, there will be a dedication on Saturday September 6, 2008 at 9:30 AM. Please come join us for the celebration! Mayor Coleman will be there and it all takes place during the Clintonville Arts & Music Festival.
On June 12, 2007, representatives from Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc. were proud to be part of a Clintonville community celebration: the groundbreaking ceremony for the Whetstone Recreation Center. The project will renovate the 1950’s era recreation center, as well as add a new multi-purpose and community room. Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc. has worked with our client — the City of Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks — to develop a design that will bring major updates and new program space to this true community center. Many state, city, and community dignitaries and leaders were on hand to officially kick-off construction of this 5.6 million dollar project. Speakers included; City Council Member Priscilla Tyson, State Representative Jim Hughes, and the Director of Columbus Recreation and Parks Alan McKnight. A large contingent of community residents assisted the dignitaries in turning over the first shovels of dirt for the project. Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc. looks forward to collaborating with the project’s general contractor, Hopewell Constructors, Inc.
