Apex Athletic Center

With steady program growth and need for more facilities, the St. Cloud School District (District 742) sought a cost-effective solution for an indoor facility that would benefit both the school district and the community. Community soccer players frequently played at the Apollo High School outdoor fields, but the northern climate restricted use. Given current construction costs, the budget did not allow for a traditional long-span structured building to house a regulation-sized field, so JLG worked with Legacy Building Solutions to design a Pre-Engineered Fabric Structure (PEFS). This design helped the team develop a cost-effective system to house all programmatic needs, including a two-lane sprint/walking track, high-tech golf simulators and batting cages on the mezzanine, and adaptable regulation-size fields for soccer, softball/baseball, lacrosse, and football. The PEFS system is a cost-effective PVC fabric with a 25-year warranty, enhanced with graphics, modern striping, and first-of-its-kind rake extensions at the gabled ends. This system avoids the additional operational and yearly setup costs associated with alternative inflatable dome structures. To determine space needs, JLG’s Sports Studio led programming exercises with district administrators, coaches, and athletic directors of both Apollo and Tech High Schools. This resulted in placing the building to maximize convenient access to adjacent fields and parking, while providing high visibility from adjacent major roadways. Custom netting, team meeting space and benches, and ample storage space for both indoor and outdoor fields round out this multi-use facility. Large windows at the corners of the track bring in natural daylight and allow for views to the outside, something not always provided in similar large, indoor athletic facilities. Apex Athletic Center will be an exceptional asset to the school district and community, sharing high-end turf that draws year-round competition and training while encouraging a healthy, active community — starting with young student athletes.