Diversified Assets

The long-term trend in aquatics over the past several decades has been to take the concept of a simple pool and expand it to so much more than a body of water to swim and splash in. Measured over the course of my own life, and the facility where I grew up swimming (Fairview Park Pool in Normal, Ill.), this trend can be clearly seen, from the rectangular pool of my early childhood through the installation of a waterslide in my tweens to now, many (many) years later, a full-blown family aquatic center with splash pad, zero-depth entry, activity pools, water-slides and more.

Whether your pool is in dire need of updates or you've got an empty site ready for a brand-new aquatic park, aquatic design professionals are the savvy experts you need. These days, they play a similar role to the most effective financial planners—helping you diversify your assets, so you can support your facility for the long term.

Whether it's an outdoor aquatic park with multiple pools and amenities, a natatorium with space for exercise, competition and play, or simply an update to the mechanical room, pool surface or deck, aquatic designers will help you create a facility that goes above and beyond, with diverse options that attract the diverse members of your community.

In this Guide to Aquatic Design, we talked to aquatic design experts about the latest trends in a diverse range of facility types. No matter where you are in your aquatic journey—whether you're wondering what the heck to do with your out-of-date pool or you're looking to invest to create a new facility that will attract people of all ages and abilities in your community—we hope you'll find some insight in these pages.

Cheers,

Emily Tipping
Editorial Director,
Recreation Management
[email protected]