The city of Kingsport, Tennessee was looking for a major recreational “stay-cation” attraction to keep residents active and engaged in the community. As a result, Vulcraft Group, supplier of steel joists, steel joist girders and steel decking, worked with Henard Metals to develop the new 55,500-square-foot indoor/outdoor aquatic center.

The new aquatic center and YMCA houses an Olympic sized 50-meter pool, a 25-yard warm pool with a zero entry ramp, and an indoor recreational pool with water slide. This state-of-the-art facility offers something for everyone, from meeting rooms for conferences or birthday parties. The spanning 100-foot girders allow the HVAC ample room to pass through web openings, providing the required ventilation while not compromising clear heights.

Vulcraft Group worked with Henard Metals to provide the joists and girders for the project. The facility was built with K-series joists and girders fabricated from primarily recycled steel, making the project environmentally friendly and cost effective.

The YMCA Wellmont Center is a 40,000-square-foot facility, which houses a child watch area, Family Adventure Center, indoor playground, two wellness areas, three group exercise studios, a gymnasium, three main social areas, a multipurpose room and locker rooms. This facility is sheltered by a joist/girder roof.

For their work on the project, Henard Metals was recognized as a winner of the 2014 NuHeights Design Awards by Vulcraft/Verco Group. The NuHeights Design Awards recognize outstanding design, architecture and the diverse applications of building with steel.