I'm currently in the process of putting together a committee to start planning for a new aquatic facility in our area. I'm asking all of you to help me make a list of the things that should go into a facility if you had unlimited resources and space. I want to start my project with the biggest dream possible and then have it brought back to earth by money limitations, etc.
What I'm looking for are comments about our own facilities features that work well, that you would never do again, that you would change, that you would do differently, and what you wish you could have. I want to hear from experience.... What makes your facility work so well or why you pool is the arm pit of pools. Here is an example:
I've learned from one pool that they should have built a permanent wall between their lap pool and their zero depth entry rec. pool. The building is so noisy they can barely run a meet if people are in the recreation pool. Don't leave anything untouched (pool size, deck space, configuration, locker rooms, office space, outdoor facilities, observation seating, etc.)
Our initial plan is to build a 50 meter indoor, with adjacent recreation pool, and an outdoor splash area for the hot summers. We are one mile above sea level and our winters go from October to May. I'm hoping all you can help with the things you have all learned from the many years we have been swimming.
Parents
Former Member
USA Swimming devotes manpower and resources towards assisting USA Swimming programs and others in developing new facilities based on best practices. They hold a "Build a Pool" Conference each April. I highly suggest that you have somebody work with USAS, attend the conference and take advantage of this. They will have statistics to back up anecdotal evidence you'll get from us.
The new competition pools in our area ? They boast how great they are but make these mistakes:
#1 - not enough deck space to hold enough swimmers during a championships or large invitational
#2 - not enough spectator seating for large age group championships where Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and 3 siblings will be watching
#3 - Bulkhead isn't big enough to mount starting blocks AND have needed timers etc. Or it won't allow the standard touchpads to be mounted
#4 - Control room (where timing equip goes) does not have a clear view of the start/finish
#5 - Depth is not the same in each lane (unfair advantage) of the competition course
#6 - Insufficient lockerrooms/bathrooms for a large meet. Lockers need to be big enough to hold a modern duffel or swim backpack and winter coats.
#7 - Not enough parking and no convenient access to freeways, swimmer-friendly motels/restaurants.
If I had to make a wishlist for our existing facility, I would wish:
* More storage and offices area so our team could have an office and store things away from the chlorinated pool air (swim store, meet hospitality supplies) as well as more deck storage
* Bigger weight room / drylands areas
* Better bulkhead that was easier to mount touchpads on
* Shallow end deep enough for racing starts
* Separate lessons pool with shallower end and warmer water
* Bigger lockerroom with better ventilation and easier to clean
* Better hospitality area adjacent to the pool deck and with easier access to outside with a sink
* More seating in the spectator area
* Less slippery deck and stairs
* Separate warmdown lanes for LC meets
* INTERNET ACCESS
* Larger meet computer ops area to allow room for a few trainees
* Someplace to post meet results neatly for spectators
USA Swimming devotes manpower and resources towards assisting USA Swimming programs and others in developing new facilities based on best practices. They hold a "Build a Pool" Conference each April. I highly suggest that you have somebody work with USAS, attend the conference and take advantage of this. They will have statistics to back up anecdotal evidence you'll get from us.
The new competition pools in our area ? They boast how great they are but make these mistakes:
#1 - not enough deck space to hold enough swimmers during a championships or large invitational
#2 - not enough spectator seating for large age group championships where Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and 3 siblings will be watching
#3 - Bulkhead isn't big enough to mount starting blocks AND have needed timers etc. Or it won't allow the standard touchpads to be mounted
#4 - Control room (where timing equip goes) does not have a clear view of the start/finish
#5 - Depth is not the same in each lane (unfair advantage) of the competition course
#6 - Insufficient lockerrooms/bathrooms for a large meet. Lockers need to be big enough to hold a modern duffel or swim backpack and winter coats.
#7 - Not enough parking and no convenient access to freeways, swimmer-friendly motels/restaurants.
If I had to make a wishlist for our existing facility, I would wish:
* More storage and offices area so our team could have an office and store things away from the chlorinated pool air (swim store, meet hospitality supplies) as well as more deck storage
* Bigger weight room / drylands areas
* Better bulkhead that was easier to mount touchpads on
* Shallow end deep enough for racing starts
* Separate lessons pool with shallower end and warmer water
* Bigger lockerroom with better ventilation and easier to clean
* Better hospitality area adjacent to the pool deck and with easier access to outside with a sink
* More seating in the spectator area
* Less slippery deck and stairs
* Separate warmdown lanes for LC meets
* INTERNET ACCESS
* Larger meet computer ops area to allow room for a few trainees
* Someplace to post meet results neatly for spectators
