4 Questions to Ask Your Recreational Facility Architect
When you set out to build a recreational facility, whether it’s an ice rink, swimming pool, or gymnasium, choosing the right partner is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
You need a team that can turn vision into reality while providing clear guidance every step of the way. Before selecting a recreational facility architect, here are four essential questions to ask.
What kind of experience do you have?
Recreational facilities come with unique challenges. In ice arenas, for example, humidity control and environmental conditions can quickly become costly problems if they aren’t properly understood and addressed.
You don’t want your architect learning on your project. That’s why experience matters, especially experience specific to recreational facilities. A knowledgeable team understands the technical demands upfront and knows how to avoid mistakes that can impact performance, operations, and long-term costs.
2. Can you think outside the box?
Experience alone isn’t enough. It’s just as important to work with a partner who brings fresh ideas to the table.
Many architects may specialize in recreational facilities, but not all have exposure to what’s happening in rinks and recreation centers across the country. At HTG, we work with rink operators nationwide, giving us insight into emerging trends, creative solutions, and proven strategies.
That broader perspective allows us to design facilities that operate more efficiently, enhance the user experience, and in many cases, uncover new opportunities for revenue generation.
3. What are the steps in your design process?
A strong design isn’t just about the final rendering; it’s about the process that gets you there.
At HTG, we use our inVision process, a structured, multifaceted approach that guides clients through every stage of design and delivery. Because most clients don’t build facilities every day, we focus on clarity and transparency, providing a clear roadmap from early visioning through construction and beyond.
This shared understanding helps projects move forward with confidence and builds momentum from the very beginning.
4. Can you share a few references?
No matter how good a project looks on paper, references matter. Ask your architect to connect you with clients who have completed similar facilities.
Hearing directly from others provides valuable insight into the process, outcomes, and long-term operations. It also gives you a chance to learn how other facilities manage staffing, expenses, and day-to-day challenges—knowledge that can be just as important as the building itself.
Design with experience that shows on and off the ice
HTG has designed ice rinks and recreational facilities of all sizes across the country, helping communities create spaces that are efficient, adaptable, and built to serve users for years to come. From early visioning through design and delivery, our team understands the operational, user, and community considerations that drive these projects' success.
If you’re planning a new rink or reimagining an existing facility, let’s start the conversation. Contact HTG to learn how our experience and process can help bring your project to life.
