MIL-HDBK-1037/8
Section 1:
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Scope. This military handbook, MIL-HDBK-1037/8,
provides general design guidance for indoor fitness/recreational
facilities and is applicable to gymnasiums, fitness centers, and
indoor playing courts. This handbook should be used to help
designers in creating indoor recreational facilities within
statutory cost limitations in conformance with DOD criteria.
Modernization projects should update existing facilities to meet
as nearly as practicable the established criteria within
budgetary constraints.
1.2
Design Philosophy. The Department of the Navy's Fitness
and Sports Program addresses the growing concerns and need for
behavioral changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Fitness and
sports programs require patrons to establish and adhere to long-
range commitments for optimum physical, mental, social, emotional
and spiritual health. It is each MWR activity's responsibility
to help our military personnel, family members, retirees,
reservists and other authorized patrons grow, change and
experience the gift of fitness/health which will improve Navy and
Marine Corps readiness, reduce health risk, and lower health care
cost.
The optimum design shall result in durable facilities
with reasonable and appropriate maintenance and operating life
cycle costs. Designers should visit similar facilities, and
interview building managers and users. When available, they
should review post occupancy evaluation reports of similar
projects to avoid design deficiencies that affect operation and
maintenance.
The design process requires that all of the principal
players be involved in specific and appropriate ways. These are
the local MWR directors, local MWR fitness/sports specialists,
base engineers and architects, builders, and Navy and Marine
Corps Headquarters programs managers. The principal players will
form a core partnership committed to completing a high quality
facility that meets operational and functional requirements
within project scope and budget.
1.2.1
Purpose of Criteria. The objective of this handbook is
to help architects, planners and designers in creating the best
possible recreational environments within allowable space and
cost limitations. It is an aid to the following stages of
design: analysis of requirements and preparation of feasibility
studies, developing schematic design, detail design and
coordination of consultants and specialists.
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