Motivated by the potential of this project to impact the community, region, and state, MMA and Fishbeck embarked on a design process that was as inclusionary and collaborative as the SOMI client itself. The MMA and Fishbeck team thoughtfully engaged with SOMI staff, board members, athletes, families, and supporting organizations to discover the optimal project for their current and future needs as they continue to grow and serve the west and greater Michigan community.
The existing site offered both advantages and drawbacks. As an aging school property, many existing spaces met SOMI’s needs for sporting events and training rooms, but were inaccessible and not universally designed, requiring creative thinking and flexibility from the design and construction team. Universal design promotes an inclusive approach to design, so that every space and pathway is accessible by all, regardless of age, mobility, visual acuity, auditory capability, or mental ability. The design team fully embraces this approach by considering all types of users and how the space would make them feel the most comfortable and welcome, such as incorporating zero thresholds, large changing tables, thoughtful and clear wayfinding, voice operated controls, and more.
The Unified Sports and Inclusion Center includes athletic facilities, training rooms, assembly spaces, office space, expanded parking and site circulation, and upgraded athletic fields. As the largest facility of its kind, the center is a model for inclusivity and universal design standards, where visitors leave with a greater understanding of and appreciation for the disability community and the services available through the nonprofit organizations that also call this center home.
Within this collaborative environment, Disability Advocates of Kent County, Thresholds, Be Nice, Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, and others have found a home. These partners also serve those with intellectual and physical disabilities and mental health challenges, which results in raising their individual and collective visibility and reach, and their proximity allows them to easily partner on collaborative endeavors. The center can also serve as an example for other states and organizations to transform an existing building into a world-class sports and wellness complex and collaboration center.