As the demand for community-centered spaces continues to grow, Cabarrus County saw an opportunity to create a facility that would bring people together through learning, wellness and social engagement. This vision led to the creation of the Cabarrus County Library and Active Living Center—a dynamic intergenerational hub designed to serve the evolving needs of Mount Pleasant’s residents.

Client
Cabarrus County

Location
Mount Pleasant, North Carolina

Total Project Cost
$10 M

Project Type
Parks & Recreation

Completed
2024

Size
20,921 sq. ft.

Services
Architecture, Civil/Site Engineering, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering

Community
An activity room with large windows and bright lighting, with someone working at a desk and a few people playing table tennis.
A group of people sitting in a semicircle of chairs around a speaker, in an open room with colorful furniture and natural lighting.
An exterior view of the Cabarrus Active Living Center, a long, clean building with many windows against a sunny blue sky.

From the project’s inception, extensive community engagement shaped every design decision, ensuring the 20,921 sq. ft. facility fosters accessibility, inclusivity and ease of navigation. Thoughtful features such as clear wayfinding, strategically placed entrances and a variety of intuitive visual cues create a welcoming and seamless experience for visitors of all ages and abilities.

At the heart of the center, an open and airy central corridor, or “spine,” connects a diverse range of program areas. These spaces include a modern library with study zones and cozy reading nooks, a technology hub, fitness studios and a myriad of multipurpose areas suitable for community events and educational programs.

The facility boasts flexible layouts and ample storage to support a variety of uses, from group fitness and social gatherings to educational workshops and after-school programs.

Outside landscaping and covered entrance to the building, with "Cabarrus County Library & Active Living Center at Mount Pleasant" embossed on the wall.
A well-lit, large gym with lots of fitness equipment, and a person in a yellow shirt doing pull-ups.

Vibrant accent walls, acoustic panels and specialty lighting enhance the center’s warmth and character, reinforcing an inviting atmosphere that encourages engagement.

Beyond its interior, the center embraces its natural surroundings, offering stunning views of nearby Virginia Foil Park through clerestory and floor-to-ceiling windows. A covered patio with direct access to walking trails, ballfields, playgrounds and park pavilions further strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor experiences.

Exterior, aerial view of the Library and Activity Center, showing walkways, parking, the nearby park, and forests on the fringes of the site.

Designed to serve both current and future generations, the Cabarrus County Library and Active Living Center reflect the county’s dedication to lifelong community engagement. It stands as a welcoming, adaptable space where residents can come together, learn and create meaningful connections—a legacy that will continue to enrich Mount Pleasant for years to come.

A long hallway, the 'stem' of the center, with bright, inviting lighting and a reception desk with the name of the center embossed on the wall behind it.
A welcoming nook in a bright, spacious hallway with chairs and furniture, where a few people are sitting.
A few people sitting in a breakaway space in a large hall with fun wall decor, reading.
A breakaway space in the center with colorful patterns on the carpet, and a desk with chairs.
A view down an aisle of people sitting, listening to a speaker at a podium at the ribbon cutting of this center.
Another aerial view of the center, showing the various facilities and the geography of the surrounding area.

Related Articles

Belmont CityRec Center

Town of Kernersville Recreation Center 

Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park Renovation