Metal Panels Help Complete Dream of Athletic Facility

Three families had a dream and that was to design and construct an athletic and community center in Halfmoon, N.Y. The multi-sport facility was created to simply elevate athletes. Like every project, time and money were considerations when choosing building materials. Ultimately, insulated metal panels (IMPs) from Metl-Span helped make their vision a reality.

“Like similar-sized projects in the past, this job had a limited budget and tight construction window,” says John Paone, R.A., of Paone Architecture in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. “With that, we needed a product that could be up fast, but at the same time, address building and energy code requirements of the exterior envelope.”

The walls were constructed with 27,838 square feet of Metl-Span’s CF Mesa panel, a 42-inch-wide IMP with three inches of foam insulation. The 26-gauge exterior panel is the Mesa Light profile in Sandstone and the 26-gauge interior panel is Igloo White.

“While there were no specific goals from the client, they knew they wanted a dynamic looking building, something that reflected the building’s purpose,” Paone says. “By mixing the IMP colors and textures, we were able to design a building façade that breaks down the overall scale of the exterior and not end up with a static looking box. We know we have accomplished this when we hear people say they didn’t realize how big it is inside until they actually walk in and see the multiple courts.”

For years, Chris and Andrea Litchfield, Joyce and Grantley McLeod, and Erin and Tom Huerter had visions of creating this sports and community facility.

“We are excited to be able to create a venue that has something for everyone,” says Tom Huerter. “After years of traveling the country and seeing different facilities, we are proud and excited to bring Impact Athletic Center to our hometown.”

Impact Athletics includes six hardwood basketball courts, a training room, two fitness studios, a recovery room with cryotherapy and massage chairs, a child care area and a café. The 73,000-square-foot indoor facility also has outdoor sand courts for volleyball and strength and conditioning resistance.

Since beginning operations in 1972, Munter Enterprises of Saratoga Springs, has erected dozens of buildings with Metl-Span IMPs and has become a leader in the Northeast construction industry. Munter offers customers a variety of construction services beginning with land acquisition and design, through planning and general contracting. Self-performing the major trades, such as steel and IMP erection, using the highest quality and skilled personnel in the region, assures their customers’ projects are completed proficiently and safely.

“Because we’re self-performing the bulk of the construction, scheduling is easier and more efficient,” says Todd Coffin, Project Coordinator for Munter Enterprises. “The use of insulated metal panels allowed us to quickly enclose the structure during winter months to keep the project schedule on track. IMP systems are a great product to work with as they are hassle free to install, provide a durable and attractive solution for our customers and easily appease energy code requirements.”