Chamizal Recreational Center & Library

Exigo | Marmon Mok (an Association)

El Paso, Texas
36,500 SF

Marmon Mok, partnering with Exigo Architects, was selected by the City of El Paso’s Library and Parks & Recreation Department to design three unique facilities: Alameda Recreational Center & Library, Chamizal Recreational Center & Library, and the Lomaland Recreational Center as part of their Quality of Life Bond. All three facilities are of similar size and have the exact programmatic requirements, except for Lomaland, which will not support a library.

The Chamizal Recreational Center & Library, located in one of the oldest and most economically challenged areas of El Paso, is a testament to our commitment to community development. This facility, designed to uplift the community, includes a variety of exercise spaces, such as a double gymnasium, cardio weights room, auxiliary gymnasium, game space, multi-purpose fitness area, public library, multi-purpose community room, and two unique features in El Paso: a covered courtyard and a covered parking lot. The Chamizal project, larger than the other two, is an adaptive reuse of a portion of a building that was once a bustling Levi’s denim factory.

As part of each project, the City of El Paso’s MCAD (Museum & Cultural Affairs Department) coordinates a major Public Art piece to support and enhance the city’s cultural heritage. For the Chamizal project, Jesus “CIMI” Alvarado created a back-lit mural mounted on the exterior façade of the building, with a smaller version of the installation located in a multi-purpose area. This art piece, a testament to the rich cultural heritage of El Paso, is a source of pride for the community and a symbol of commitment to preserving our history.