After going seven years without its own aquatics center, the community undoubtedly welcomed this 52,000-square-foot facility, the result of a partnership between the city and local school district. Built in 2014, it houses community leisure time, swim instruction and therapy, as well as training and competition events for two high schools and U.S. Masters Swimming.
A designated teaching zone, therapy whirlpool and diving wells provide spaces for those targeted and specific activities, while a children’s play structure and lazy river provide the ultimate in unstructured fun. A simulated surfing attraction and winding water slide encourage more adventure and stimulation. Event spaces can be used to host special events such as birthday parties.
When competitions are held, the spaces can operate independently of each other, a priority in accommodating the parties who built the center.
In addition to the features seen in the accompanying slideshow, the facility also benefits from measures to maximize water and air quality and energy efficiency, both to be good citizens and help the center be economically self-sufficient.
The owners of the facility strongly preferred a saline water system, which was combined with leading technologies in water analysis and ultraviolet pressure to eliminate chloramines. Regenerative media and surge tank exhaust also help with this issue, enhancing air quality.
Energy costs are kept in check by daylighting controls, occupancy sensors, energy-efficient lights and ballasts, high-efficiency hot-water heaters and refrigeration heat recovery on the rooftop pool dehumidification units. Low-flow plumbing fixtures save 2/3 the water dispensed by their standard counterparts.
