The Bob Crane Community Center, the brainchild of MSA Design, has clinched the prestigious 2025 James B. Recchie Design Award. Columbus Landmarks, known for celebrating the best in urban architectural achievements, has given its nod to the community center for enhancing the central Ohio area both in function and aesthetics.
In a competition that brought forward five finalists from the region, the Bob Crane Community Center stood out to the jury for its meticulous design and the way it brings various generations under one roof, despite a very tight footprint. "Entering the center it is immediately obvious that this intergenerational hub is having a positive impact on the people who use it," the jury noted in a statement obtained by the City of Upper Arlington's official website. The high-quality materials and sophisticated implementation of the design in the community center were especially praised by the jurors.
Opened just this past April, the 165,000-square-foot multistory venue boasts indoor pools, gyms, multipurpose rooms, fitness spaces, and areas for social gathering, embodying Upper Arlington's investment in design and community. As reported on the City of Upper Arlington's official news portal, the community center is now a prominent model for urban recreational facilities that responsibly utilize limited space.
Another juror shared, with an older gentleman seen playing ping-pong with a much younger one during the tour, according to the City of Upper Arlington, "This project knocked it out of the park! From the moment you step into it you feel the buzz of an intergenerational civic hub." The facility not only features sports courts and swimming pools, but also meets the needs of the community, as it combines intimate nooks. Since 1984, the James B. Recchie Design Award has served to highlight exemplary design projects throughout central Ohio, including various building types, spaces, and artworks. Readers looking for more information about the award or this year’s other finalists can explore Columbus Landmarks' dedicated page.
