21 Sep Well and Good Newsletter Quarter 3
LETTER FROM THE CEO
Dear Friends,
This year is going by fast. I’m in the middle of conference season and have been speaking at several Parks and Recreation conferences over the past few months. It’s been great to meet some new friends in the industry, and reconnect with some old friends, that all share in this passion for health, wellness, and building stronger communities! Vibrant indoor and outdoor aquatics venues serve as an important component in doing just that, which is what my presentations have been all about. I invite you to follow OLC on social media if you are interested in learning some of the latest and greatest trends surrounding our design practice.
We continue to grow as a firm! As of October 2, we have a new senior interior designer, Sandra Blissard. She’ll be working closely with Brenda Amsberry and Lauren Harle, on the Newtown Athletic Club and DoubleTree by Hilton projects. Learn more about Sandra in People News.
Some additional excitement I’d like to share is that OLC recently partnered with AMDG Architects and were awarded the Holland Community Aquatic Center project in Holland, Michigan. Thank you, HCAC, for putting your trust in us to deliver a high-quality facility that will elevate your operations and provide essential leisure services to your community for years and years to come! The project includes new community swim and leisure pools; a new therapy pool, sauna and steamroom; and new fitness rooms and spectator seating. Learn more about other projects in progress in Project News.
From all of us at OLC, may you BE WELL in 2019.
OUR WORK
The Dr. Ann Murphy Knight S.T.A.R.S Complex Expansion project, located in Fort Myers, Florida, includes a new 28,800 sf multi-functional community building addition to the existing recreation building. The project also includes an interior renovation of the existing 24,580 sf; a new 2,500 sf activity play pool; an upgraded football field with new drainage systems, bleachers, sidewalks, women’s and men’s bathrooms; parking improvements; and football field house and concession building. This facility will also serve as a hurricane shelter for occupancy up to a category 3 hurricane event. We will be working in association with ADG Architecture, llc..
The new studios at the Newtown Athletic Club opened Saturday, September 21st! OLC has been working with the Newtown Athletic Club for over 15 years. Check out the new spaces!
OUR PEOPLE
OLC is growing! We recently hired Senior Interior Designer, Sandra Blissard. Sandra is skilled in creating innovative designs, managing projects and developing plans. She uses her creative eye, technical abilities and self motivation to successfully design and administer many projects. We are thrilled to have her on our team!
On September 16th, Linda Hoffert celebrated the arrival of her newest grandchild, Grayson Lincoln Smith. He was born on 9/16 at 11:28pm and is a healthy 7lbs 12oz, 19in long. Congratulations Linda!
Senior Interior Designer, Brenda Amsberry, celebrates 5 months with her grandson Tatum Bradley Amsberry! Congratulations to the proud parents and grandparents!
Check out the class of 1993 at the University of Utah! Can you spot OLC’s CEO Robert McDonald?
FEATURED STORY
OLC and Senior Designer, Hadi Simaan, recently competed in the International Architectural Design Competition for the National Concert Hall in Lithuania. The competition asked for the design of a building, two concert halls, spaces for lounge bars, a spacious lobby with a breath taking view of the city and premises for any other cultural activities. With visual links between the history of the old city and the new city the site needed a building that could draw in this visual corridor between the old and the new. Hadi focuses on the relationship between the individual and their society. His designs are intended to be a conversation between elements in the built environment and the natural world.
MEET OLC
JOHN THOMPSON
Aquatic Designer
What’s the best thing about OLC?
Working for a company that is dedicated to the health and wellness of its employees and community.
What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
I enjoy hiking and fishing, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.
I once met…
The cast of The Buried Life.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
Wolverine, because of his healing factor.
What is the song title that best describes your personality?
Easy – The Commodores
What do you do to Be Well?
Lift weights, swim, play tennis, and hike.
EAT LIKE AN ARCHITECT
Recipe from Kensey Monier (recipe found by family friend Julia Ball)
Crazy (Good) Italian Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 1 ½ C (210 gr) Flour
- 1 C (180 gr) Caster Sugar (can grind regular sugar in blender/coffee grinder)
- ½ C (35 gr) Dark Baking Cocoa
- 1 ¼ C (290 gr) Water
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1/3 C (65 gr) EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
- 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 3 tsp Vanilla
Directions
- Preheat oven to 355 F.
- Line bottom of 9” pan with parchment paper.
- Spray pan with Pam & sprinkle with flour.
- Mix all dry ingredients in medium bowl.
- Mix all wet ingredients in a different medium bowl.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients – mix well.
- Pour batter into prepared pan – tap pan to release any air bubbles.
- Bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool on wire rack.
Genache:
- 100 gr (3.5 oz) chocolate chopped (60-70% cocoa)
- 70 gr (5 Tbsp) butter, room temperature
Directions
- Put chocolate and butter in bowl.
- Microwave on hi for 20 seconds – stir – repeat 30 seconds – stir – repeat until completely melted.
- Allow to cool and pour evenly over cooled cake.
Best if served with vanilla ice cream or gelato.
Enjoy!
WHAT DO OUR ARCHITECTS SAY?
Resources