SMSD Aquatic Center now open thanks to creative partnership

The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Aquatic Center is now open for local students – as well as the entire community - thanks to a unique partnership between the school district, Johnson County Parks and Recreation District (JCPRD) and the City of Lenexa.

Planning the facility, which sits in the heart of the new Lenexa City Center in Lenexa, Ks., began in February 2015 as a result of a $223 million bond issue approved by SMSD voters.

The 54,000 SF building includes an innovative design, expansive seating and potential configurations for hosting competitive swim meets.

"Very early on we wanted the design of the building to emulate the sense of moving water. The rolling roof, the shimmering glass, the multi-colored metal panels and the light sculpture in the lobby are a few of the elements that are inspired by water in motion,” said Duane Cash, lead architect on the project with ACI Boland Architects.

The natatorium features a 100-meter olympic-sized pool with a deep end for diving; plus, two 1- meter and two 3-meter diving boards. The pool can be configured in many ways depending on the meet via two movable bulkheads.

The center was designed for education and instruction and includes an additional instructional pool with warmer water and a shallower depth. A third of the pool includes a movable floor that allows for a change of depth from zero inches to seven feet, depending on the activity.

“All of these elements and many more were all about creating a great place to be. Many aquatic centers are perceived to be dark, stuffy, closed off facilities and we wanted to push back against those notions. We wanted this building to be open and inviting, light-filled and healthy. We wanted to foster a sense of community, education, opportunity, athleticism and competition,” Cash said.

The design celebrates the spirit of competition with intentionally designed layers of transparency provided in each area of the building so that viewers, both inside and out, can see events happening within the building.

“We were excited to be a part of the great public plaza that the city had created. With that in mind we wanted (it) to be open and full of light. I envisioned pedestrians walking by or cars driving down 87th Street getting curious about the activities inside and wanting to become involved,” Cash said.

The land for the aquatic center was donated by the City of Lenexa to SMSD and the City also contributed towards the 220-stall parking garage, located adjacent to the aquatic center. JCPRD will operate and provide programming for the aquatic center.

Other partners on the SMSD Aquatic Center project include Counsilman-Hunsaker & Associates, ME Engineers, Bob D. Campbell, BHC Rhodes, Vireo and JE Dunn Construction.

Tutera completes $55 million rental-based senior living community

Tomorrow will mark the grand opening of Tiffany Springs Senior Living, a $55 million, luxury, rental-based community located at 9101 N. Ambassador Dr. in North Kansas City.

Unlike other senior living communities that require a buy-in or large upfront payment, Tiffany Springs, developed by Tutera Senior Living & Health Care, offers a rental-based option for seniors who want more choice and flexibility.

The new residential community is connected via breezeway to Tiffany Springs Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, which offers both short-term rehabilitation services and extended stays. Through these two facilities, Tiffany Springs residents are given priority access to a full continuum of care with a complement of post-acute health care services.

Tiffany Springs Senior Living Community comprises 289,000 SF; 261 total luxury apartment homes with three outdoor living spaces on 4.1 acres. Each one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den and two-bedroom apartment home features high-end appliances, upscale finishes, high ceilings, balconies and large windows.

“With the completion of Assisted Living and Memory Care, we now have realized the vision we set out to achieve at Tiffany Springs - a comprehensive senior living community that allows our residents to age in beautiful, amenity-rich surroundings,” said Randy Bloom, Ph.D., president and chief operating officer for Tutera Senior Living & Health Care.

This month, Tiffany Springs Senior Living opened 89 memory care and assisted living residential units, supplementing the 172 independent living apartment homes that became available in July 2019.

Tiffany Springs meets the highest standards in senior living and wellness design, which include these diverse community amenities:

• Upscale day spa and salon; yoga studio

• Multiple dining venues, including private and outdoor dining spaces

• Healthy menu options made to order by in-house chefs

• Resort-style heated indoor wellness swimming pool

• Large outdoor courtyard with fire pit, outdoor seating and BBQ kitchen

• Art studio

• Theater room with surround sound

• Multiple lounges for entertaining and playing cards

• Chapel

• Dog park and dog washing station

• 24-hour security

• Senior-inspired technology with secure, controlled access

• Full interior and exterior maintenance of apartment homes

• Concierge and transportation services

• Fiber-based Wi-Fi throughout the community

• Convenient access to shopping district with diverse retail, restaurant and entertainment venues

Tutera's project team includes NSPJ Architects,, BHC RHODES and Luke Draily Construction Company.

Assisted living and memory care apartment homes are now available; independent living residential options opened in July.

The grand opening will take place tomorrow, Thursday, September 26, at 3 p.m. Tours will be available.

Earth-moving moment in Lee's Summit as industrial spec moves ahead

For Lee's Summit development leaders, seeing industrial spec inventory come out of the ground has often felt akin to moving mountains. That's why seeing dirt finally move at The Grove at Lee's Summit mixed-use site near M-291 and Bailey Road on the south side of the city is so gratifying.

"The Grove will allow Lee's Summit to finally 'get in the game' and compete for industrial relocation and expansion projects," said Rick McDowell, Lee's Summit Economic Development Council president. "Lee's Summit has not even been able to submit proposals for dozens of projects through the years simply because the city lacked viable industrial buildings."

The project's timing is just right, according to Mark Long, executive managing director of Newmark Grubb Zimmer: "The Grove is coming to the market at the same time as some key infrastructure improvements including the Bailey Road overpass and more importantly the new interchange at Highway 50 and M-291. There is a lack of available Class A product in the area, and this project will fill that gap in supply."

On Friday, local dignitaries, city staff and project partners took their shovels to the dirt, signaling the beginning of land clearance for infrastructure to support construction of The Grove's first building, a 200,000 square spec industrial facility. 

"We are excited about beginning this new chapter of development in the city of Lee's Summit. The Grove will be the premiere mixed use destination for people to work, shop and play for years to come. We are grateful to the mayor, city council, city staff and the LSEDC for supporting our vision for the future," said Steve Singh, CEO and managing partner of The Grove.

The mixed-use development will include an additional 200,000 square feet of light industrial space, as well as the donation of property to the City of Lee’s Summit for a future fire station. With an upscale design loosely based upon successful, world-class properties like The Grove at LA and Santana Row in San Jose, California, The Grove promises to transform Lee’s Summit's southern gateway.

Project partners include A.L. Huber, general contractor; BHC Rhodes, civil engineering services; Klover Architects, architectural design, Newmark Grubb Zimmer, real estate broker, and White Goss, legal services.

For more information about The Grove, contact Daren Fristoe, project manager.