Kempsville Community Recreation Center



The new Kempsville Community Recreation Center replaces a 1976 recreation and community facility on the same site. The new center features a large natatorium that contains a 6-lane competition pool with competition diving areas and a 25’ high glass rock climbing wall, a leisure-fun pool with a zero-entry beach and VB-themed play structures, and an aqua-track / lazy river element. The new center also includes a double gymnasium, 7500 SF of fitness space, a dance/aerobics space, locker rooms and showers, 8 multi-purpose meeting rooms for community use, catering kitchen facilities, and administrative office space. An indoor walking / jogging track winds through the natatorium, gymnasium and public commons space.  The new center also includes 3 child-care classrooms with associated office and storage space for Parks and Recreation programs.

The new modern structure features glued-laminated beam construction forming a twisting / soaring roof over the natatorium and fitness spaces, large expanses of glazing on the north faces, and internal transparency linking the vibrant recreational spaces.

The new Kempsville Community Recreation Center was designed to meet the standards and sustainable goals set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Green Building Rating System and achieved LEED Silver certification.

It opened Summer 2017.

2018
Best New Facility

Virginia Recreation and Parks Society
Population Greater than 100,000

2018
Project of the Year

American Public Works Association

2019
Merit Award

Virginia Beach Planning Commission
Sustainable Development

2017
Best Recreation / Entertainment Project

HRACRE Excellence in Development Design
Award of Excellence

2017
Juror's Choice Award

HRACRE Excellence in Development Design

Client: City of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia

New Construction : 87,116 SF

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Civil Engineer: Kimley-Horn and Associates

Landscape Architect: WPL Site Design

Structural Engineer: Speight, Marshall & Francis, P.C.

PME Engineer: PACE Collaborative

Contractor: Heartland Construction / Blueridge General, Inc.