Bob Hamilton, a resident of Moscow, Idaho until his death in 2000, had a vision to uplift the youth in his town through Parks and Recreation activities and bequeathed much of his estate accordingly. In fulfillment of his wishes, the Hamilton-Lowe Aquatic Center and Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center together provide the children of Moscow and their families a dynamic complex for year-round sports and play.

Entertainment and fun are the focus of the Aquatic Center. Water features include a lap pool and activity pool with two water slides, a lazy river that flows around a rock sculpture island, an interactive water play structure, a zero-level entry, and other water play elements. Complementing the pool amenities, the pool house features a unique “wave” roof, accent bands of bright aquatic colors, and playful “tree” columns. As the initial component of the City of Moscow’s recreational complex, the aquatic center then became the catalyst for a new indoor facility.

The Indoor Recreation Center (IRC) provides flexible spaces suited to a variety of purposes rather than exclusive use by a specific group—balancing rather than duplicating the services of fitness clubs and senior centers. Views to the landscape, natural lighting and ventilation make the interior spaces vital and exciting as a hub of the community’s enjoyment.

The IRC’s design complements the aesthetic character of the adjacent Aquatics Center to give the entire recreational complex a unified composition. Similar to the Aquatics Center, high quality, low maintenance materials for both the interior and exterior ensure the building’s longevity and minimize life cycle costs. Also like the Aquatics Center, the inclusion of public art continues another of Moscow’s valued legacies.