The Salinas Municipal Aquatic Center occupies a prominent space within an existing park and recreation complex. The transparent nature of the natatorium creates a strong identity and allows views into the facility from the adjacent park space, as well as views outward into the park. Inside, the natatorium features a 73-foot-by-75-foot pool along with support spaces that include a lobby, office, lifeguard room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, storage space and mechanical space.
The natatorium is enclosed using a pre-engineered aluminum greenhouse-like structure with an operable roof system that allows up to 50 percent of the roof to be opened. Room for future growth was an important consideration in design and the current HVAC system, inter-connected to the operable roof system, is sized to accommodate expansion. The pre-engineered aluminum structure can also be easily modified and expanded to handle future development.
TThe facility has received LEED Gold Certification for its sustainable design. Green features include the use of daylight throughout the facility,energy-efficient pool heaters, light fixtures, space conditioning equipment, direct digital controls, thermal pool covers, a UV pool water filter system, and low water use plumbing fixtures. A dehumidification unit conditions the natatorium area. Dehumidification is achieved with 100 percent outside air, which creates better air quality and saves energy compared with a mechanical dehumidification system.