TUFTS UNIVERSITY | Medford, MA

Tufts University hired Sgarzi Associates to completely review the indoor sports facilities on the main campus in Medford and make recommendations for improvements that would enable Tufts to accomplish identified goals:

• Clarify and improve the primary building’s internal organization, circulation and security
• Create a welcoming and effective new main entrance to the sports complex with easy access to the various activity and spectator venues
• Improve the quality and increase the amount of fitness and multi-purpose spaces for everyone’s use
• Increase the efficiency and availability of storage
• Provide improved and equal locker room space for women and men
• Create professional and efficient office areas for coaches and administration
• Develop a layout and phasing plan that maximizes the use of the building during construction
• Provide an option for a new swimming pool that could occur independently or not at all
• Optimize the use of existing space and limit additional new square footage as much as possible

The study included benchmarking data from schools that Tufts competes with athletically and academically, full code and building systems analyses, an operating costs study, program data sheets for all proposed spaces, and a total project cost estimate, including all associated “soft” costs.

Tufts is a leader in the academics of health and wellness, and the recommended building improvements will showcase this focus and accentuate fitness and sport training and integrate their complimentary programs among the recreational and athletic areas.

With the assistance of the Tufts Construction Department and a client-selected Construction Manager, a detailed phasing plan was developed to minimize the impact on building occupants. The scheme also accommodated the omission of the proposed new natatorium if funds were not available.

Vastly surpassing the expectations of the administration, the study document and the athletic improvements that it recommended enabled a fundraising effort that yielded over $20 million in its first year. The project went from a long term goal to a priority for campus development.