In the heart of Ogden, Utah, a new era of community connection has begun at the Marshall N. White Community Center. Reopened in May 2025 after a comprehensive renovation, this two-story, 68,000-square-foot building honors its namesake’s legacy and offers a vibrant hub with a wide range of recreational, educational and social programs for all ages.

To realize the project’s vision, the City of Ogden partnered with a team of Utah-based and national industry leaders. Designed by VCBO Architecture and constructed by BHI Company, this bold, modern building features a transparent, welcoming exterior. Working closely with Gordon’s Glass Company and Architectural Glazing Products’ manufacturers’ representatives, the design team specified high-performance, architectural aluminum, curtainwall and entrance systems.

Photos: BMI Group

The curtainwall entrance doors helped achieve the project’s low-maintenance, energy-efficient operations with a contemporary aesthetic. The manufacturers provided the durable, black-anodized finishing and dual polyamide strut barriers for the ultra-thermal aluminum framing.

The curtainwall’s insulating glass units are composed of insulating glass products and high-performance thermal spacer. Viracon also fabricated the spandrel IGUs for the curtain wall. The glass is positioned to the system’s exterior for optimal resistance to rainwater. Along with its ultra-thermal performance and condensation resistance, some curtainwalls can be shop-fabricated to save time and labor in the field.

"We just had ‘the right’ suppliers on board for this one,” says Ty Hess of Gordon’s Glass. “We’re grateful to Tubelite and Viracon for their support.”

Community Connections

Originally constructed in 1968, the community center was dedicated to Marshall N. White, Ogden’s first Black police officer, who lost his life in the line of duty in 1963. His legacy of service, mentorship and advocacy continues to inspire all who visit the newly opened, modern facility.

The rebuilt community center more than doubles its previous size. The new building features a gymnasium, fitness and dance studios, classrooms, a kitchen and a full-sized indoor pool. The facility also houses the Untamed Sports Academy, a youth development initiative that combines athletic and life skills training in state-of-the-art spaces.

The new center also reflects “The Ogden Way,” a citywide commitment to service, opportunity and partnership. The re-imagined space feels open, accessible and connected, both visually and physically, to the surrounding neighborhood. Accentuating this atmosphere, Tubelite’s curtain wall enhances and energizes the space with natural light and views, while helping keep occupants comfortable.

Photos: BMI Group

High-performance, Low-maintenance

Designed for today’s stringent energy codes, some curtainwall is ideal for medium- and low-rise commercial buildings, like the Marshall N. White Community Center. Combining aluminum framing, dual thermal strut and high-performance insulated glass, this dual-glazed system achieves industry-leading U-Factors of 0.30 for thermal transmittance and a frame condensation resistance factor of 81.

Thoroughly tested by an independent laboratory, Tubelite 400TU Series curtain wall demonstrated that it meets or exceeds ASTM and AAMA industry standards for air, water, structural, thermal, acoustical and seismic performance. In addition, this curtain wall is tested to meet acoustical performance ratings for STC 38 and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) 32.

Assembled using screw spline or clip joinery, 400TU Series can be specified with either an aluminum or polyamide pressure plate, and as a stick-built system or shop-assembled into “ladders” for field glazing. Verticals can be steel-reinforced for strong wind loads. The system’s 6-, 7.5- and 10-inch system depths can accommodate glass or panels of 1- to 1.75-inches thick, and easily integrates with Tubelite’s Therml=Block entrance systems.

Tubelite relies on Linetec as its single source solution for its finishing, thermal breaks and other value-added services, all under quality-assurance, factory-controlled conditions. The aluminum framing’s durable anodized finish reduces the building’s maintenance costs and enhances its long life.

Photo: BMI Group

Generational Investment

“This isn’t just about better infrastructure,” says Ben Nadolski, Ogden’s mayor since 2024. “It’s about bringing people together from every corner of our city and building lifelong habits of health, connection and opportunity.”

“This is a generational investment in our people,” he continues. “We’re honoring Marshall White’s legacy by creating a place where every person in Ogden has the means to connect, grow and belong – not just for today, but for generations to come.”

“We rebuilt Marshall White to accommodate all Ogden residents, and we want everyone, no matter their background, to enjoy what it has to offer,” says Justin Anderson, Ogden’s executive director of public services.

Underscoring its renewed importance as a civic hub, Marshall N. White Community Center welcomed 1,436 new members and 2,000+ day-pass visitors during the first month it re-opened.