BETHEL RECREATION CENTER

Beginning in the summer of 2012, VIA assisted the town of Bethel, VT with planning for the Recreation Center facilities, including the pool, mechanical and electrical systems, bath house, playground, tennis courts, and accessory parking. VIA developed three master plan options for the town to consider, along with associated budgets for proposed construction. The project paid special attention to the modernization of facilities and systems, energy efficiency, life safety and accessibility, short- and long-term cost effectiveness, and community health and delight.

The first phase of the new plan was to replace the crumbling, 1970s-vintage poolhouse. VIA designed a new building with changing rooms and offices attached to a large, covered outdoor pavilion. The new building’s orientation opens up a previously blocked space between the pool and the playground and now offers a 180-degree view of the entire recreation facility. Featuring cedar and metal, this durable building provides a maintenance-free, dynamic anchor for the park. The project’s planners were intent on providing a building that demonstrated the town’s commitment to its children – one that was unique, lasting, and well-constructed. This phase also included infrastructure upgrades like a new play structure and updated parking and building accessibility.