Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training Named a 2023 Aquatics International Dream Design

Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training
Ocala, Fla.

Architect: Wannemacher Jensen Architects
Aquatics Designer/Consultant: Counsilman-Hunsaker
General Contractor: Parrish McCall
Pool/Spa/Water Feature Contractor: Weller Pools

The center for Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) serves a wide range of passionate swimmers and divers, including competitive athletes and fitness enthusiasts in the central regions of the Sunshine State.

The designers sought to create a facility that was visually striking while meeting the performance needs of its clients.

Sleek performance

A modern, polished look highlights the performance-based pools and facilities.

Varying shades of blue and white evoke the feeling of water and create a clean, calming atmosphere. Contrasting hues of red in the spectator seating area, lane lines and backstroke flags reflect the facility’s branding and bring to mind the colors of the American flag.

The team incorporated natural light, accent lighting and open spaces to create a sense of spaciousness and freedom.

The facility includes an indoor, 50-by-25-yard competition pool with 13-foot-deep diving well, two 1-meter and two 3-meter springboards. A high-tech timing system tracks events, while indoor spectator seating accommodates up to 2,000 individuals. The dual springboards allow synchronized divers to practice, while the venue is spacious enough to accommodate simultaneous swim and diving practice.

Outdoors, an L-shaped stainless steel pool includes a 50-meter-by-25-yard competition space on the long leg, and a 25-meter, eight-lane warm-up area on the short leg. This vessel originally served as the warm-up pool for the 2021 Olympic Trials. It was moved from the Omaha, Neb. site of the trials and repurposed on this property.

An on-site strength and conditioning center helps provide a well-rounded training experience. It features weightlifting equipment, cardio machines and other fitness tools to help swimmers and divers with their conditioning. A sports medicine clinic provides injury prevention, rehabilitation and performance enhancement services.

The design team incorporated a number of energy-conservation measures. Solar panels generate electricity to power the facility, while energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems conserve energy, and a water-conservation program reduces water usage by up to 70%.

SUPPLIERS:
Chemical Control Feeder: AquaCal AutoPilot
Circulation Systems/Gutters: Myrtha Gutter System
Concrete: Del Zotto, Cemex
Control Systems: BECS, Johnson Controls
Electrical Supplies: CED
Filtration: Neptune Benson
Flooring: Pool TIle Band, Epoxy Coated Concrete, Belgard Pavers, Surfaces 9, Nora
Guard Chairs: Recreonics
Heaters: Symbiont
HVAC: Desert Aire, Commercial Duct Systems, Ferguson, Nelson & Co., Tom Barrow, Stan Weaver
Interactive Water Features: Vortex
Lighting: Hydrologic
Lockers: Fenwall
Pool Cleaners: Duramax Robotic Pool Cleaners
Pumps: ITT Marlow/Gould
Seating/Bleachers: Hussey Seating & Bleachers
Security Systems: Home & Commercial
Racing Lines: Competitior
Springboards: Duraflex
Tile: Roca USA
Timing System: Colorado Time System
Windows/Doors: YKK
Others: Old Castle, RS Elliot, INEX, Graybar, Cummins, Roof Screen, Argos, Core & Main, Forterra, R&R Rebar Fab., New Millenium