Harper College Health and Recreation Center (Building M)

Harper College transformed its Health and Recreation Center (Building M) into a leading community sports and wellness center. The $38 million renovations to the outdated facility is the result of a partnership with the Palatine Park District (overseeing pool operations) and Northwest Community Healthcare (running the health/wellness clinic). The 130,000 SF center is now a focal point on campus, fully integrated into the educational environment.

Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd. (EEA) served as the civil engineering and landscape architect consultant for the Health and Recreation Center (Building M), which included renovated aquatic and gymnasium spaces as well as expanded fitness and athletic areas and classrooms. EEA provided design for the demolition, geometrics, utilities, and grading for all site features associated with the building addition project. Elements included re-design and permitting of existing water and sanitary sewer mains that serve the overall campus, as well as the design and implementation of new stormwater management features in accordance with MWRD permitting requirements. The most prominent example is the bio-retention facility located south of the building, which provides runoff volume control and promotes groundwater infiltration for stormwater generated by the addition. The adjacent Parking Lot 1 is another example as it was renovated and completed at the same time.

EEA’s scope of work included the following on-site elements:
• Demolition of existing site features
• Geometric control
• Driveway pavements, walkways, courtyards, and site concrete finish work
• Stormwater management calculations and design
• Storm, sanitary, and water services
• Soil erosion and sediment control measures, including preparation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
• Logistics with the construction manager
• Landscape architecture plans and drawings

This project received the 2020 Intergovernmental Cooperation Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

EEA civil engineers, traffic and parking, and landscape architect consultants have completed more than 50 campus projects over the last 10 years at Harper College. EEA continues to work on several on-campus projects.