True Friends’ Recreation Center Case Study

True Friends’ Recreation Center

Maple Lake, MN

The rec center for True Friends is a high-traffic facility designed for kids and adults with disabilities. Balongue Design and McGough Construction chose Cambria surfaces for its ADA-compliant applications throughout showers, restrooms, play areas, and common spaces. Grout-free surfaces, integrated niches, and 1cm thickness supported efficient installation, accessibility, and long-lasting, maintenance-free performance.

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Skye™

Professional Team

Balongue Design
McGough Construction

Cambria Designs

Applications

Pool Open Shower Surround; Pool Door Frame; Pool Bathroom; Gymnasium Viewing Ledge; Gymnasium Half-Wall Caps; Shower Walls; Shower Niche Cladding; Shower Room Sink, Toilet, and Bed Surrounds; Hallway Wall Cladding

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Challenge

The objective was to build a 26,600-square-foot facility that defied the traditional “institutional” aesthetic, while meeting rigorous ADA-compliance requirements. The space demanded a material capable of withstanding constant exposure to moisture and the extreme physical impact of mobility devices, all while keeping maintenance costs low.

Solution

Cambria natural quartz surfaces were specified as the facility’s high-performance backbone. Unlike porous tile or acrylics, our grout-free, nonporous surfaces provide an impenetrable barrier against bacteria and moisture. By integrating large-format wall cladding, custom shower surrounds, and durable ledges, the project replaced high-maintenance materials with an abrasion-resistant, sanitary surface built for heavy use.

Results

The installation delivers a “showroom-quality” aesthetic that persists despite constant foot traffic and heavy-duty usage. By eliminating grout lines and porous vulnerabilities, the facility realized significant operational efficiency, reducing cleaning cycles and the reliance on harsh chemical cleaners. The center stands as living proof that high-end design, inclusive accessibility, and extreme durability are not mutually exclusive.

Sandgate™

Sandgate™

Skye™

Skye™

Clifton™

Portrush®

Ironsbridge®

We chose Cambria quartz surfaces due to their durability, superior quality, and added beauty to our spaces. With hundreds of people through here at any given week, scratches and banging into walls happens naturally, so the functionality and durability of Cambria made it our top choice for ADA compliance.