Payson Athletic Center

Payson Athletic Center — This Monolithic Dome was designed as a Multipurpose Educational Facility for Payson High School in Payson, Arizona.

Payson Athletic Center — This Monolithic Dome was designed as a Multipurpose Educational Facility for Payson High School in Payson, Arizona.

Open area — Administrators at Payson were impressed with the dome’s construction and floor plan.

Open area — Administrators at Payson were impressed with the dome’s construction and floor plan.

Four-sided scoreboard — It’s suspended from the dome’s ceiling that is 50 feet high.

Four-sided scoreboard — It’s suspended from the dome’s ceiling that is 50 feet high.

Super court — Dome features one competition court that splits into two practice courts, four coaches’ offices, two sets of boys’ and girls’ locker rooms and storage space.

Super court — Dome features one competition court that splits into two practice courts, four coaches’ offices, two sets of boys’ and girls’ locker rooms and storage space.

Seating — Payson’s new dome gymnasium seats 2,400 — four times more spectators than the school’s old gym.

Seating — Payson’s new dome gymnasium seats 2,400 — four times more spectators than the school’s old gym.

Basketball and more — The district uses the dome for its middle and high school basketball, volleyball and wrestling.

Basketball and more — The district uses the dome for its middle and high school basketball, volleyball and wrestling.

Aerial view — This Monolithic Dome sports center has a diameter of 200 feet.

Aerial view — This Monolithic Dome sports center has a diameter of 200 feet.

Affordability — Built in 1996, the new sports complex cost about $2.8 million, as opposed to about $5 million for a comparable conventional building.

Affordability — Built in 1996, the new sports complex cost about $2.8 million, as opposed to about $5 million for a comparable conventional building.

Mongollon Rim — It can be seen just beyond the dome.

Mongollon Rim — It can be seen just beyond the dome.

Going round! — Most residents of Payson readily accepted the dome’s round shape.

Going round! — Most residents of Payson readily accepted the dome’s round shape.