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Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility

Coordinates: 38°43′02″N 77°49′08″W / 38.7173°N 77.8188°W / 38.7173; -77.8188
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George B. Fitch Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility
Map
Alternative names
  • The Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility
  • The WARF
General information
LocationWarrenton, Virginia, US
Construction startedOctober 1, 2006
Construction stoppedJuly 7, 2007
Cost22 million USD
OwnerTown of Warrenton
Technical details
Floor count3
Floor area59,738 square feet (5,549.8 m2)
Grounds64 acres (26 hectares)
Design and construction
Architect(s)
  • Grim & Parker Architects
  • John McBryde Hill
Structural engineerElliot, Leboeuf, & Associates
Services engineerB2E Consulting
Civil engineerRickmond Engineering Inc.
Main contractorForrester Construction Co.
Awards and prizes
  • ABC Metro Washington Excellence in Construction Award
  • Northern Virginia NAIOP Award of Merit

The George B. Fitch Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility, commonly acronymized as The WARF, is a town-owned recreation center and accompanying park in Warrenton, Virginia.[1] The Town of Warrenton Parks and Recreation Department is situated within the facility.[2]

The facility offers a variety of memberships and day passes to individuals based on their residency.[3][4] The WARF also hosts various fitness classes and special events for holidays and reservations.[3][4]

History

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The WARF opened in September, 2007 after 18 months of construction.[5][6][1][3][4]

The WARF temporarily closed to the public in March, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] The closure followed orders from the Virginia Governor and the U.S. President regarding the pandemic. The WARF reopened in July, 2020.[8]

A graduate student from George Mason University surveyed WARF members in 2021 to determine their desire to return to the WARF after the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a required independent study course.[9]

Design and Facilities

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The building's design was inspired by historical farming of the Virginia Piedmont region, on which the WARF is situated.[10] Because of this, the building has a vestibule inspired by a grain silo, a broad gable roof inspire by farmhouses, and a warm interior pallet largely consisting of exposed wood.[6][5][10]

The recreation center consists of three floors: a lower floor, a main floor, and two penthouses.[5] The main floor consists largely of a reception area, spectator seating, a cylindrical vestibule, fitness rooms, and office space.[5][1] The lower floor contains a 364,000 gallon competition pool, a 68,000 gallon leisure pool, a 3,600 gallon hot tub, and a water slide.[5][11]

The building was built on a large piece of land, with various rectangular playing fields situated around it.[6][11] Additionally, there are a variety of paved walking paths, a year-round outdoor ice skating rink, a playground, and a skateboard park on the grounds.[3][4]

Awards

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The facility and its contractors have won two awards.[12][6] The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Metro Washington awarded Forrester Construction Company with a 2008 Excellence in Construction Award for the WARF.[13] The Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP) Northern Virginia awarded Forrester Construction Company a 2008 Award of Merit for the WARF, as well.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Warrenton Aquatic & Recreation Facility (WARF)". www.virginia.org. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  2. ^ "Parks & Recreation | Warrenton, VA". www.warrentonva.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  3. ^ a b c d Pais, Michelle (2024-02-05). "Fit in Fauquier: Stay warm and active this winter with these local options". FauquierNow. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  4. ^ a b c d Hagarty, John (2018-08-19). "The Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility's gift of wellness". Fauquier Times. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  5. ^ a b c d e DiPiazza, Derek (2006-12-14). "Construction Management Warrenton Aquatics And Recreation Facility Warrenton, Virginia". www.engr.psu.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  6. ^ a b c d "Warrenton Aquatic + Recreation Ctr". grimmandparker.com. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  7. ^ Earl, Robin (2020-03-13). "Town of Warrenton closes the WARF and Visitor Center". Fauquier Times. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  8. ^ "WARF competition pool and fitness room open for members only July 15". Fauquier Times. 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  9. ^ Persky, Anna Stolley. "Mason student helps Town of Warrenton manage return to recreation". George Mason University. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  10. ^ a b "Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility". Athletic Business. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  11. ^ a b "Downey & Scott, LLC - Warrenton Aquatic & Recreation Facility - Virginia | Construction Management | Cost Estimating | Downey & Scott". www.downeyscott.com. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  12. ^ a b "Warrenton Aquatic & Recreation Facility". Forrester Construction. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  13. ^ Bland, Jessica (2008-09-23). "Forrester Wins Six 2008 ABC Metro Washington Excellence in Construction Awards". Forrester Construction. Retrieved 2024-04-29.

38°43′02″N 77°49′08″W / 38.7173°N 77.8188°W / 38.7173; -77.8188