Article Source: David Nigel
Friday, November 7th, City of San Bruno Parks and
Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Palmer and Commission Vice Chairperson Kris
Gonzalez represented our City in San Francisco at the Parc 55 Hilton Hotel for
the Engineering News Record Northern California 2025 Excellence and Best Projects Awards breakfast banquet.
Many prestigious awards were presented of
exemplary architectural and engineering projects.
Northern California “Best Projects” was
awarded to the City of San Bruno Recreation and Aquatic Center, in recognition
of the architect Group 4 Architecture Research and Planning Incorporated,
Lathrop Construction Associates, BKF Engineers, Degenkolb Engineers, ME
Engineers, Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects, and Aquatic Consultant Councilman-Hunsaker.
At the end of a fourteen year-long community journey
following a devastating gas line explosion in 2010, this project represents the
city’s commitment to reinvest in its people and itself.
A comprehensive community engagement process shaped the
vision for this recreation center which is set into a hillside at the east edge
of Junipero Serra San Mateo County Park. Carefully sequenced construction
minimized the disruption to mature trees and adjacent public spaces.
Geopier
ground improvement systems were strategically used to minimize environmental
disruption during construction as well. In addition to constructing a new
public facility, scope included a major city street realignment and reconstruction
of a portion of a city park, all adjacent to an active neighborhood and heavily
used public spaces.
Once the realigned street reopened to traffic, the
construction site was split into two zones. To maintain a secure and efficient
environment across this divided site, the project team implemented
comprehensive barrier containment systems, clear signage and consistent safety
protocols.
As part of the proactive approach to public communication
and outreach, digital message boards and neighborhood mailers kept nearby
residents, park users, and community stakeholders informed of ongoing
activities.
The facility’s radial site design provides sweeping views
and multiple indoor—outdoor connections.
Three interlocking pavilions-community, recreation and aquatics-are each
uniquely programmed and visually distinct, but united through shared spaces. A
double-height community living room connects classroom and childcare spaces to
a gym, dance studio and indoor-outdoor pools.
Combating long lead times and price volatility required
proactive procurement strategies, close coordination and a shared commitment to
maintaining schedule and budget integrity. Extended lead times for underground
water main piping threatened to delay early site grading and foundation work,
so the team engineered a temporary above-ground water main reroute that looped
around the site and reconnected underground beyond the work zone.
From the inception and throughout the entire period of this
immense project, Commission Chairman Mike Palmer and colleague Kris Gonzalez
are the only two representatives of a oversight committee that met monthly to
receive reports from the project manager and others making crucial and
important updates. It should be noted that these two dedicated individuals are
volunteers who gave freely of their time beginning with the ground-breaking
ceremony August 27th, 2021 to the conclusion of the project and the
RAC opening ceremony Saturday, August 24, 2024.
The City of San Bruno, “The
City with a Heart” has turned a tragedy into a marvelous public facility that
is tremendously used by its citizens and neighbors.
If you have not yet visited
this iconic site, be sure to place this on your “Bucket list!”
Riechel
Reports - Events
- City
of San Bruno CA and of Interest to San Bruno Residents