Dickson Aquatic & Recreation Center

Location:

Dickson, TN

Client:

City of Dickson

Building Area

58,000 sf

Estimated Completion

2028

Material Heritage

Inspired by the natural beauty and material heritage of Middle Tennessee, the building’s contemporary design uses iron, stone, and timber to create a meaningful connection to its landscape. The architectural design of the building reflects the old furnaces found throughout Dickson County and surrounding Western Highland Rim region with sloped wood roofs sitting on thin steel structures, grounded in natural stone masonry.

A Place for Wellness, Recreation, and Gathering

Southern Architecture Workshop is leading the design of a new 58,000-square-foot civic facility for the City of Dickson, the YMCA, and a team of community partners. The facility includes an indoor natatorium designed for all ages with lap swimming, aquatic classes, and a splash pad for kids. There is a multipurpose gymnasium for basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and elevated walking track. Special attention to the community includes multipurpose rooms for non-profits and a gathering kitchen. Elevated on the second floor is the main wellness area with sweeping views of the park. All the distinct program elements are tied together by a double-height commons with clerestory, exposed steel structure, and wooden ceiling.

Shaped by Community, Built for Dickson

Envisioned as a vibrant hub for wellness, connection, and lifelong learning, the project has been shaped through extensive community engagement and a shared commitment to creating a place the people of Dickson can take pride in. This facility reflects SAW’s mission to create enduring, community-centered spaces that honor local materials, stories, and the people they serve.