Few things on earth are more life-sustaining than water. This year's aquatic design portfolio highlights 33 pool facilities that have enhanced the lives of a variety of end-users - from novice and recreational swimmers to high school competitors to one college program that had to borrow time on a rival's dive tower until the school built its own. Whether seeking thrills, relaxation or a long-awaited recruiting advantage, patrons of these projects have benefited from the commitment of various funding sources and the vision of architects and aquatic consultants.
Athletic Business: Aquatic Design Portfolio 2022
Alamo Heights ISD Natatorium
San Antonio, TX
Year in Showcase: 2022
Construction Cost: $15m
Area / Square Feet: 25,762 sf bldg.
Occupancy Date: February 2020
The Alamo Heights Natatorium, a 26,000-square-foot aquatics center built on a satellite campus of Alamo Heights High School, meets the recreational and competitive goals for Alamo Heights Independent School District while offering a resource for community groups.
The facility features a 39-meter-by-25-yard pool with a movable bulkhead, two pairs of 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, dryland training features such as a trampoline and water diving belts, and seats for 400 spectators. Flexibility was built into the natatorium’s design from the start. The movable bulkhead allows the pool to be set up in a variety of configurations, from a 13-lane pool for competitive meets to a scaled-down eight lanes for swimming, plus a diving well. The flexible design eliminated the need for a second pool by providing enough shallow water for non-competitive events, while still supporting a mix of competitive, training and recreational activities.
The completed facility is already paying dividends for the school and the greater Alamo Heights community. The programs and facility are 100 percent booked for the foreseeable future.
QUICK FACTS
LEAD ARCHITECT: LPA
AQUATIC DESIGN CONSULTANT: Aquatic Design Group
COMPONENTS
39-meter-by-25-yard pool
Movable bulkhead
Two pairs of 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards
Training trampoline
Water diving belts
Spectator seating for 400
SUPPLIERS
Scoreboard/Timing Systems: Colorado Time Systems
Lane Markers: Competitor Swim
ADA Lifts, Starting Blocks: Spectrum Aquatics
Swimsuit Extractor: SUITMATE® by Extractor Corporation
Cordova Community Pool Replacement
Rancho Cordova, CA
Year in Showcase: 2022
Construction Cost: $8.3M
Area / Square Feet: 4,300 sf bldg.
Occupancy Date: June 2021
The Cordova Community Pool Project replaced an aging facility with a new center designed to meet the needs of the community for many years to come.
It features a 10-lane competition-sized lap pool and diving board and a separate recreation pool with two lanes for lap swimming, a beach entry and a play structure. A new 3,500-square-foot building houses pool equipment, lockers, restrooms, storage facilities, offices and a ticket window. The site, located in Hagan Community Park adjacent to the American River, is surrounded by a man-made pond.
The entry to the facility mimics the flow of the river, with the surrounding landscaping based on the reedy and grassy plants often found at the water’s edge. The design seamlessly integrates the facility into the existing park and creates natural transitions between the park’s programs, adjacent community buildings and the pool’s facilities. LPA worked closely with the Cordova Recreation and Park District, the community and the City of Rancho Cordova to ensure the facility addressed a broad range of requirements and age groups, including competitive programs, artistic swimming, open swim, children’s swim classes and recreation for all ages.
QUICK FACTS
LEAD ARCHITECT: LPA
AQUATIC DESIGN CONSULTANT: Aquatic Design Group
COMPONENTS
10-lane competition-sized lap pool
Diving board
Two-lane recreation pool
Beach entry
Pay structure
Lockers
Restrooms
Storage facilities
Offices
Ticket window
SUPPLIERS
Lane Markers: Competitor Swim
ADA Lifts: Spectrum Aquatics
