The Unforgettable Events and Activities at Park University’s Sports Center
Inside the performance gym of the Breckon Sports Center. It is in the second of two 130-foot diameter Monolithic Domes constructed at the Park University campus in Parkville, Missouri.
A student walking the hall of the Park University’s underground campus—the most extensive underground campus in the world. Student facilities inside the former limestone mine include a library, bookstore, computer lab, classrooms, gallery, offices, and even a health clinic.
“No one who attended the first graduation at our new Breckon Center will ever forget it,” said Rita Weighill, associate vice president of university advancement at Park University.
The Breckon Center is the university’s newest addition: an ultra-modern Sports Event Center, consisting of twin Monolithic Dome gymnasiums flanking an office complex, designed by Architect Rick Crandall and completed in 2000.
“Our December commencement was the first time we ever used the domes for a graduation,” a truly unforgettable one,“ Weighill said. "The domes were new so that in itself was exciting, but then one of the grandparents of our graduates had a heart attack. Fortunately, our security people were able to administer CPR and get his heart going again. That gentleman visited us a few weeks later, in much better condition and very grateful. So, we have some very good memories associated with our Breckon Center.”
The sports center is built into the hillside among the bluffs and wooded hills at Park University. It overlooks the nearby Missouri River. The older, smaller gymnasium is to the right with the underground campus in the hillside behind the structures.
There isn’t enough room in the underground campus for sports facilities. By building twin Monolithic Dome structures, the university gains a first-class sports venue and practice facility while maintaining similar energy efficiency usage as the underground campus.
Sports—a big thing at Park
Its men’s and women’s teams compete in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) in basketball, volleyball, soccer and softball.
The teams use the dome with two courts as a Practice Gym. Its twin, the Performance Gym with its 1,000 spectator seats, hosts competitions and special events.
Asked how he likes the domes, Athletic Director Claude English said, “Well, I’ll be honest with you. There’s not much at all that I dislike. The actual facility is wonderful. You always look back and think about storage and things of that nature, but the actual facility, the office space, the locker rooms, the gyms, they’re all very good.
"Normally, when you get into a dome situation the acoustics are pretty bad,” English continued. “But in our Performance Gym they’re really good. We put in special acoustical material and we will do that in the Practice Gym too.”
A volleyball net is set up in the practice gym. The practice gym provides facilities for fitness and sports training for multiple sports disciplines—both indoor and outdoor—without cancellations due to poor weather.
Coaches love the Practice Gym
According to English, he and the coaches appreciate the Practice Gym as much or even more than the Performance Gym.
He said, “We now have a facility to practice in. No more cancellations because of bad weather. It’s wonderful because we have terrible winters. It’s been a dream come true. I think we’re all very proud of and excited about the facility. All the coaches are really impressed.”
Joggers and walkers are welcome on the upper-level track that surrounds the main gymnasium floor in the performance gym.
What visitors think
“People look at the two domes and they’re a curiosity that piques their interest,” English said. “But when they get inside, they get really impressed. Almost all the visiting coaches have asked for more information on the domes. The feedback has been very positive.”
For maximum use of space, the performance gym is designed with telescoping bleachers.
The daily routine
As for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the facility, Rusty Nachbar, plant operations and maintenance manager, said, “It’s great. All is going well. We had to go through an adjustment period. At first we got the inside of the domes too cold, then too warm. Now it’s set just right and it’s easy to maintain. The domes are an oddity in this area, but a welcome addition. They give Park a good home court advantage.”
The performance gym scoreboard hangs suspended underneath a bright skylight. It is easily seen by all spectators, players, and coaches. The scoreboard, lights, HVAC ductwork, and more are anchored directly to the dome without additional reinforcement.
Multiple large locker rooms for visitors and home teams for school and tournament use.
Large windows provide a great view of the scoreboard and court in the official’s room in the upper level of the performance gym.
A formal dedication
In February 2001, Park officially dedicated its Breckon Center. English said, “We tried to make sure that all our sports teams were in town for this dedication. So we actually began playing in the domes before the dedication, just couldn’t wait.”
The dedication, held in the Performance Gym, was attended by the mayor of Parkville, Park University’s board members, all of its teams, faculty and staff. Along with companionship, good wishes and good food, attendees looked at photos and memorabilia commemorating Park’s 126-year history. Included in all that reminiscing were fond, happy discussions of that first, unforgettable graduation at their Breckon Center.
Fans and spectators enter between the double dome complex into a two-story, 3300 square-foot complex flanked by the two gymnasium domes. The center conventional connector houses the restrooms, concessions, and administration offices.