Design Guide: Recreation Centers P!anning Considerations January 1976
CHAPTER 2
P LANNING CONSIDERATIONS
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ARMY RECREATION PROGRAM
Design Implication: The design must create a
non-military atmosphere. The plan should allow
a. GENERAL. The mission of the Army
maximum freedom for the user to behave with
Recreation Services is to increase the effec-
minimum restrictions.
tiveness of the Army by maintaining morale
and physical and mental fitness by promoting
pro-
Participation. Local
(4) M a x i m u m
maximum participation in planned and diver-
grams must provide and emphasize instruction
sified activities. The Army Recreation Center
in activities to stimulate maximum participa-
program is one of seven core programs; the
tion.
others are Arts and Crafts; Dependent Youth
Design Implication: A successful design should
Activities; Library; Music and Theater; Outdoor
reflect attitudes, interests and needs of the local
Recreation; and Sports and Athletic Training.
military community. The responsibility for
The Recreation Center program is intended to
determining these needs rests locally, with the
encourage the individual to try new activities
Recreation Center's staff and patrons.
that would stimulate creative thinking, mo-
(5) Expanded Leisure Opportunities. Par-
tivate involvement in social functions, and
ticipants must be introduced to new or
enhance social skills in a relaxed and pleasant
unfamiliar activities as a means of broadening
atmosphere by providing a wide range of
interests, skills, and knowledge in constructive
recreation information and social services.
pursuits.
b. OBJECTIVES. The policy governing Army
Design Implication: The interior of the facilities
Recreation Services (AR 28-1 ) requires that the
should be open to encourage casual observation
program adhere to several objectives; these
of activities in progress so that interest is
standards have direct bearing on the planning
sparked and participation is encouraged.
and design of all Recreation Services facilities.
c. PROGRAM COMPONENTS. The Program
(1) Diversity. Programs must be varied to
of Army Recreation Centers is divided into four
provide a freedom of choice and meet a wide
major components: Regular, Leisure Services
range of ages, abilities, and preferences.
and Resources, Special Interest, and Mobile
Design Implication: The Army Recreation
Recreation Units. In addition to standard
Center should be designed to allow maximum
programming, there could be non-recreational
freedom of movement and to support the many
events such as miIitary organization observ-
activities that occur simultaneously; there
ances, conferences, bloodmobiles, commander's
should be a diversity of spatial arrangements in
calls, etc. Main Recreation Centers house all
which the activities can occur.
four components, while Branch Centers house
only Regular and Special Interest components.
(2) Relevance. Programs must be contem-
porary, relevant, innovative, and tailored to
(1) Regular Component. This component
incorporate new trends and interests.
consists of standard recreational activities such
Design Implication: The design must be
as dances, discussions, tournaments, films,
adaptable to changing social values without
shows, festivals; and self-generated activities
extensive remodeling. The physical appearance
such as games, cards, record and tape listening,
must be contemporary and appealing.
and TV viewing.
(2) Leisure Services and Resources Compo-
(3) Change of Pace. Programs must provide
nent. There are two parts to this component
a change of pace from duty environment.
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