Regional Athletic Complex

Location: Lacey, Thurston County

Owner/developer: City of Lacey

Project team: Ceccanti, general contractor; Concreteman, concrete contractor; Bruce Dees & Associates, architect; Justus Fisher Engineers, structural engineer; Miles Sand and Gravel Co., ready-mix supplier

The Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey is a $10 million, 100-acre recreational sports center with nearly a dozen athletic fields as well as parking, playgrounds, walking paths, picnic shelters, half-basketball courts, and a 6-acre outdoor event and festival arena.

A retention pond would have limited the space available for athletic fields, so pervious concrete was installed to eliminate the need for the pond, swales or other stormwater-management devices.

Concrete also provided a durable surface for the complex. Large crowds were expected to gather for tournaments and fill the plaza. Many in attendance would be wearing cleats, and so a surface was needed that could withstand the constant pounding, especially during hot weather when softer materials such as asphalt would be unsuitable.

The plaza contains a large open-sided shelter, a restroom and concession building, and groups of shade structures.

Ready-mix concrete, which was poured amid the structures, was able to be placed and finished quickly with little risk of damage to the structures.