The Chain of Lakes Park Fieldhouse and Conference Center will officially open in mid-November. This multi-phase project is a partnership between the City of Winter Haven and Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Department. Together, they are working to revitalize the site. During the past year, the city has engaged local architects and consultants to develop a new design for the complex.
The facility has a lot to offer the community, including a fitness center, locker room, and classrooms. It also boasts a 58,400 square foot multi-use gymnasium, which is suitable for large sports competitions. A second floor observation area provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape.
The facility is home to the Pipeline Swim Team, as well as the Florida Theatre Conference, Ridge Art Association, and a number of other community partners. As with any large-scale building, maintenance is an important part of keeping the facility running properly. For example, the facility has a maintenance technician, who may clean restrooms, change light bulbs, and more.
Unlike the previous structure, the new $25 million complex has been designed with an energy efficient, modern look. In addition to providing meeting rooms, the building includes six basketball courts, an expanded office space, and a fully renovated locker room. There are also some nice details to the building, such as a double-height entry and concourse. One of the more notable features is the newest addition to the site, a state-of-the-art fitness center. These amenities have been made possible thanks to a grant from the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Department.
While the facility has plenty of features, the real novelty lies in the way it was built. The facility is the result of a long-term development plan, which began with a master plan that outlined the future of the Chain of Lakes site. With this information, Winter Haven officials scoured similar facilities in the Southeast and Northeast. They partnered with Straughn Trout Architects, a firm based in Lakeland, to provide the project with a comprehensive design.
The facility has also been named a Florida Recreation & Park Association top facility for excellence in service. Additionally, the building is also a contender for the Build-It Award. Designed to be the first of its kind in Central Florida, the facility is a testament to the City of Winter Haven’s ongoing efforts to improve quality of life in its neighborhoods. Although the facility is still under construction, the City is ecstatic to see the results and anticipate the positive impact it will have on the community.
The chain of lakes park fieldhouse and conference center is expected to be a major attraction for the city’s tourism industry. Not only is the facility a great way to bring the community together, it is also a major gateway into the community.
As with any facility, the City of Winter Haven takes pride in maintaining the highest of standards. In fact, the city has received the Build-It Award, as well as the prestigious Jan Johnson Public Participation Award of Excellence.
