When the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio broke ground on its $85 million dollar facility, it had a mission to become a best-in-class sports venue for athletes of all ages and abilities.
Mission accomplished.
In October 2013, the Paralyzed Veterans of America awarded the SPIRE Institute its annual Barrier-Free America award for outstanding accessibility and high-level of inclusive design for paralyzed athletes, disabled veteran athletes, and all people with disabilities.
The Barrier-Free award annually recognizes projects and people who innovate for, design toward, and advance accessibility and removing barriers. The award was presented to SPIRE at the Paralyzed Veterans annual 2013 American Gala in Washington D.C.
When we heard the news, Dant Clayton immediately felt honored to have been a vendor/partner for SPIRE. Our bleacher company team of designers, engineers, and project managers facilitated and installed bleachers for the SPIRE Institute’s Indoor Complex (capacity for 3,500 fans) and Outdoor Complex (capacity for 5,400 fans).
These two SPIRE Institute locales will play host to a number of high-profile athletic events in 2014, including the BIG 10 Indoor Track & Field Championships and the NAIA National Track & Field Championships. It is also an official training center for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams.
But no matter how many spectators arrive to cheer on their favorite teams and athletes, Dant Clayton is most inspired by what the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Barrier-Free Award, and SPIRE represent.
In a press release, Mark Lichter, AIA, the Paralyzed Veterans’ Director of Architecture said, “The SPIRE Institute stands out as a truly exemplary project worthy of our Barrier-Free America Award.”
He added: “Whether you are a person with a disability or not, when you come to the SPIRE Institute your experience is the same. People who use wheelchairs aren't forced to take a different path than people who ambulate for example—it's integrated and seamless.”
Dant Clayton was proud to be a part of it.