AC Earns Award for the FirstBank Southwest Center’s Design 

Amarillo College picked up a 2025 Outstanding Project from Learning By Design for the nearly 50,000 square-foot FirstBank Southwest Center on AC’s Washington Street campus in Amarillo. The designation appears in the spring issue of Learning By Design. 

“This exemplifies the creative and functional design that helped create a show piece on the campus,” said Chris Sharp, AC’s vice president of business affairs. “We are thrilled the work was recognized in this way.” 

In coordination with the reinstatement of AC athletics, the Carter Fitness Center was renovated and updated to meet National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association requirements for competition. The completely renovated facility includes a competition gym that seats 600 fans, athletic locker rooms, a training room, free weight and machine weight spaces, and offices for the coaching staff and AC staff. 

“It was important to upgrade the facility to be an asset to the staff, students, and surrounding community as well,” Sharp said. “It’s also an ideal home for athletics and a source of pride for all Badgers.” 

The space also includes locker rooms, a recreational gym, storage for intramural activities and group exercise rooms. The second-story, full-glass addition houses cardio training that looks over the adjacent Memorial Park and functional training on the lower floor opens onto an exterior patio space via large overhead glass doors. The exterior of the building includes an AC-blue colored aluminum panel accent and signage marking the facility. 

Sims + Architects planned the renovation and addition along with the design. Access to the FirstBank Southwest Center is free for AC students, faculty and staff. Community memberships and weekend passes are available for a nominal cost.