Techny Prairie Activity Center: Where Sustainability Meets a State-of-the-Art Fitness Facility
Designed by Wight & Company, the 44,200 sf Techny Prairie Activity Center (TPAC) is Northbrook Park District’s first-ever dedicated indoor recreation facility. This future-forward and highly efficient Net Zero facility is inspired by its natural surroundings, Techny Prairie Park and Fields.
In 2011, the Park District purchased and environmentally remediated the site of the facility for recreational purposes. Based on the findings from the Park District’s Comprehensive Master Plan in 2017, which included significant community feedback and engagement, the Park District determined to prioritize the development of an Activity Center to address district-wide needs for fitness and wellness, active adult programs, senior programs, and open gyms.
The resulting facility features sweeping views of the surrounding prairie and Anetsberger Golf Course, immersing visitors in natural light and open spaces as they engage with state-of-the-art equipment and programming. Offering a cardio and strength area, two group fitness studios, an indoor track, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose room and Kids’ Corner for childcare, TPAC meets all of the community's fitness and recreation needs in one of the most beautiful settings in Northbrook.
The Techny Prairie Activity Center is a PHIUS+ 2015 & Source Zero Certified Project.
Techny Prairie Activity Center achieved the prestigious Net Zero Energy designation in alignment with the Park District's ongoing commitment to sustainability. We are proud to have helped secure nearly $2M for the Park District through the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation grant, a program that has been providing financial support for clean energy projects in Illinois for over 20 years.
Designing for Net Zero Energy does not always result in a Net Zero building - good design is only the first step. To achieve and maintain net zero, it takes ongoing team commitment and continuous love after the building is occupied. Illinois Green Alliance published this article, on the continuous system monitoring of the Techny Prairie Activity Center Lessons from a Net Zero Building Operator: Management Requires Continuous Monitoring and Dedicated Staff (June 2023)
