Danny Jones Recreation Complex

The City of North Charleston replaced its deteriorating 60-year-old recreation center with a modern 53,000 SF complex designed to meet the community’s evolving needs. The new facility provides a durable, flexible space to support programs for residents of all ages while supporting the city’s commitment to health, wellness, and connection.

Recreation Facilities to Meet the Community’s Needs

The center includes a gym adaptable for volleyball and pickleball. An indoor pool is available for swim lessons and water safety programs. A community room and gathering areas support neighborhood events and activities.

Outdoors, the complex offers a roller hockey rink, tennis courts, pickleball courts, playing fields, and a walking trail. The roller rink provides a safe and positive environment for the local roller derby league and skateboarders. Both groups are often underrepresented in public recreation facilities.

Fast-Track Construction with Long-Term Value

Minimizing disruption to residents and delivering a durable, low-maintenance building were top priorities. The design-build team of McMillan Pazdan Smith and Trident Construction used insulated tilt-up concrete panels to speed construction, reduce costs, and create resilient interiors well-suited for aquatic and athletic spaces.

To reduce waste, the project team repurposed the concrete casting beds into permanent tennis courts. This process saved time and money while adding long-lasting amenities. Inside, polished concrete floors and tilt-up concrete walls provide durable, easy to maintain finishes that will lower operational costs over the building’s lifetime.

Designed for Resilience and Community Needs

Parking was also approached with sustainability in mind. Instead of a sprawling paved lot, the site includes only the number of paved spaces needed for typical daily use, with adjacent grass areas serving as overflow parking for special events. This strategy maximizes green space, helps manage stormwater, and creates more recreation fields.

Recognizing North Charleston’s vulnerability to hurricanes, the design team created the complex to function as a disaster relief center. It includes a concessions kitchen for meal distribution and connections for portable emergency generators to support residents during power outages.