Architectural Project Spotlight Series: Golden Triangle Gym

We’re thrilled to kick off our new series by taking you inside one of our recently completed projects. In this post, we’re sharing the story, from the initial ideas to the final touches. We sat down with the client to get their take on the whole process including what they were envisioning and how everything came together in the end.

Behind every architectural project there is a person, or group of people with a story to share. Here at BSPARK we want every project to reflect the people and the vision that shaped the spaces. In this interview we sat down with Becky, the amazing person behind Golden Triangle Gym, to discuss her experience working with BSPARK.

This was a project that had many “bumps in the road” along the way. Becky shares her thoughts on the collaborative process, the challenges faced, and the satisfaction of seeing her dream space come to life. Join us as we explore what it’s like to work with the BSPARK team and learn more about Becky’s new facility in Great Falls!

What was your Initial Vision and Inspiration for your building? 

The need and vision came from our lease location. While it served us well in the beginning, the building by design left wasted space. As our gym continued to grow beyond our “usable” space we realized we needed to look at something larger. 

Choosing the right Architecture Firm - what made you decide to work with us? 

I had a hard time with this decision, I had conversations with other firms, but none felt like quite the right fit. I had a hard time communicating my vision, along with “I want it all, and only have a dime” Sophia had given me guidance on previous projects and her and her office team were patient, and informative. They recognized that I would need help through the process and were able to offer that support along the way. BSPARK understood my desire to work with the building's current footprint and did not make me feel pressured to make decisions on the spot. They were willing to see things from my perspective and the industry needs.

Collaboration Process - how was the communication and collaboration process with the architects? 

When I approached BSPARK with my project, there had already been design ideas brought to the table prior to our conversation, that included purchases. This left BSPARK having to play catch up a bit with the design, working with what we already had in place and turning it into a workable design. 

Design Development - were their design elements that were in the final plans that you hadn’t initially considered? 

BSPARK offered design ideas that complimented the existing footprint including using space more efficiently, improving the traffic flow, and aiding in acoustics in a large area with an open concept. 

Challenges and Solutions: 

It is difficult to find a building that can accommodate a 42’x42’ gymnastics floor with 21’ high ceilings and has the space to include an inground pit training system. We were lucky enough to find that building. With it though came other challenges we had to overcome. Being close to the Mighty Missouri River also provided challenges with ground water, springs etc. This project was unique to a town like ours. It was a large remodel of a 32,000 SF building to accommodate developmental/ competitive gymnastics and is also home to three other academic and movement-based programs. This made it a unique project for most of our contracted teams. BSPARK and James Talcott Construction were outstanding in helping us navigate a one of a kind project in our town. 

Project Timeline:

BSPARK was brought in late into the process, even with that added challenge they were still able to complete the project on the necessary timeline.

Final Results - What are you most proud of?

The completed facility is top-notch in Great Falls, Montana and our region as a whole. We now have a safe, functional facility to share with the families of our community. 

This fall the BSPARK team had the opportunity to tour the space during our annual team retreat. The building is now buzzing with activity, and it was incredibly rewarding for the entire team to see the project completed. What started as an idea has transformed into a vibrant, functional space that will serve the community for years to come. We are excited to see how the space will continue to evolve and look forward to continuing to support Becky and her passion for the new space. 

If you want to learn more about the newly remodeled Golden Triangle Gym, Check out the link below: https://www.gotrigym.com/