Evolving Aquatics
Trends in Municipal Aquatic Facility Design
By Deborah L. Vence
Doug Russell Pool in Midland, TX
The community of Midland, Texas, went through an extensive design process with Kimley-Horn and Counsilman-Hunsaker to replace the city's Doug Russell Pool.
"The goal was to determine whether the aging facility should be renovated or replaced," Valdez said. "The replacement would need to meet the changing needs and expectations of the citizens and would need to include more programmable, shallow water and new amenities and features."
In 2013, Counsilman-Hunsaker was retained by the city of Midland to conduct a feasibility study in order to determine the future of Doug Russell Pool, which, built in the 1950s, was facing physical and functional obsolescence with only a few upgrades since it was built.
The goal of the study was to determine whether the facility should be renovated with pool mechanical system upgrades only or replaced with a new aquatic facility to include recreational amenities. Construction costs and operating expenses were provided for each option to ensure that the city had the information needed to make a knowledgeable decision. In December 2013, the city decided to move forward with replacing the facility with a new aquatic center.
Today, up to 1,000 people per day are using the new $3.25 million facility that features a host of amenities, including a 2,400-square-foot lap pool that has a drop slide, climbing wall, four 25-yard lap lanes and water basketball.
In addition to a 300-square-foot sprayground, the aquatic facility also features a lazy river, waterslide, lily pad walk, three large stair entries and spray features, as well as a recreation pool that includes a children's play feature with tot slide, zero-depth entry, spray features and underwater shelf.
Community Expectations
Today, the public has greater expectations than ever before when it comes to municipal aquatic facilities.
"As they have the opportunity to see other pools and facilities, their expectations at home increase. In addition to greater expectations in features and programs, patrons today expect better water and facility quality," Berkshire said. "A successful facility will balance the levels of technology that it uses with the capabilities of their staff."
Community members are looking for activities the family can enjoy together, such as lazy rivers, double tube slides and aquatic play structures.
"They tend to be multigenerational activities and are low risk," Valdez said.
The proliferation of private waterpark venues has shown community members what opportunities exist for aquatic attractions, and many are expecting similar experiences, though at a smaller scale, at their local municipal aquatic center, Sells noted.
"While the experience expectation has increased over the years, community members typically demand the admission cost of their centers to be far less than private waterparks," he said.
Sells noted that school districts are taking the lead more and more in developing swim venues for competition and teaching. "This has allowed municipal aquatic centers to shift their focus to facilities that offer increased entertainment value to patrons," he said. "Community leaders are not only listening and responding to the needs and desires of their constituents regarding leisure activities, they also see the success of existing similar facilities. The 'country club' atmosphere offered by many municipal aquatic centers provides families with an affordable leisure experience close to home."
Mahoney said communities are looking to offer more than just a town pool these days.
"As competition for people's dollars and attention gets more sophisticated, communities need to keep pace by offering new experiences for their members," she said.
Skill-based attractions, such as the surf simulator, provide a path for repeat visitation as members return more often to improve their skills.
"These skill-based platforms also provide a path for entertainment and group gatherings, community contests and events that are always important in a municipal setting," she said.
As municipalities increase the amount and types of attractions they offer, they provide a viable option for a day of entertainment.
"People continue to look to spend their time and money on rewarding experiences for the entire family. As parks develop their programs and add attractions to meet this demand, they increase and grow their membership base substantially, generating community pride and keeping entertainment dollars within their community," Mahoney said.
"Unique, attractive and entertaining town centers and water recreational parks," she added, "are a high source of pride for a community and serve as a draw to potential new residents, setting communities apart."
LaLonde said community members want to have programmable water for use by all ages (toddlers, teens and adults).
"Expectations are to spend a better part of the day at the aquatic facility," he said. "Providing opportunities for all the different demographics (young kids, teens, parents) ensures every age group has something to do, from lap swim/resistive walking to waterslides to splashing in the water with young children."