Living Design

Rounding the Track: Frank O’Mara Track & Field High-performance Center

The Frank O’Mara High Performance Center is the new home for the University of Arkansas Track and Field program, the most successful track program in NCAA history. Named after three-time Olympian and University of Arkansas Track alumni Frank O’Mara, the new facility brings operations, training and recovery under one roof for the men’s and women’s track and cross country teams.

The building is located at the south end of John McDonnell Field on a highly-visible site at the threshold between the stadium and campus. Its shape originates from the track radius and acts as a gateway between the infield and quad. Views through the building simultaneously connect users with the track infield and the distant Ozark mountains, reinforcing the University’s strong sense of place in the region. The building’s north façade is a continuous ribbon of glass, placing building occupants directly adjacent to the competitive action and offering 180-degree views to the track infield from every interior space.

The biggest asset of the Frank O’Mara Track & Field High Performance Center is the immediate proximity to John McDonnell Field. Key athlete spaces – the weight and training rooms, hydrotherapy and team lounge – are positioned along the track. A high-contrast, graphic-heavy palette celebrates the record-breaking history of the Razorbacks’ track and field program. Seamless integration with the track itself is a distinctive theme. The Mondo track surface is used in the main hallway to maintain continuity, allowing athletes to wear spikes as they move between the track and building.

The new track and field center was a design partnership with AECOM. We are honored to be part of a project that will continue supporting the University of Arkansas’ championship legacy in track and field.

See more of the project here.