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
I second the chlorine instead of bromine, I get itchy in bromine.
A dream pool would be a fitness center that would bring in more users then just swimmers to offset costs..
50 meter pool x 25 yards 14 feet at deep end tapering to 4 feet (water areobics = early morning customers and money)at shallow with handicap ramp to walk in and out of pool in shallow area and.. a set of steps down to about 4 feet deep not just a climb up ladder to allow easy access in and out of deep end for handicap swimmers to easily get out of deep end for deep water aerobics. 8 Lap lanes 6 feet wide about 5 -6 feet deep in middle area toward the deep end (racing zone) all lanes in race zone same depth. 1st 50 feet pool is 14 feet to 12 feet deep 2nd 50 feet pool is 6 or 5 feet deep 3rd 50 ft pool tapers from 5 foot to 4 foot deep. A seperate baby pool for their fun and lessons 50ft by 50 ft. 2.5 feet deep for kids with a wide ramp "beach" tapering up to zero feet. A 3 meter board and two 1 meter boards at the deep end of the big pool. Cement bench style (tiled $$ or epoxy painted cement) seating around both pools gives places to sit and put swim gear, Bleacher area in big pool for meets, Lifeguard room in center of pool with room for meet officials and their computers Bay windows in both rooms looking out to pool. Hot tub in pool area near baby area. Windows to see outside around pool. a mirror on the wall in the pool area to check goggles/caps fitting. A fitness room with exercise machines ,weights, a dance room wood floor mirrors and a bar (ballet not a drinking bar), a couple of raquettball courts, a all purpose meeting room that can be rented for birthday parties confrences ect a small sales area at check in with some swim suits, goggles, nose plugs, racquatballs, swimcaps (my Watergear bubble strap cap size medium white color please). A secure locker area in the main check in area with small secure pay lockers for purses, wallets. A little food area with a good cup of coffee and some cheap food favorites hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, frozen pizza ,ice cream,(yea you got to have them for familys with kids) some healthy salads and sandwhiches,soft drinks. Great big hot water heater, several AED defib devices about the place. Locker rooms with baby change areas, plenty of room in locker room, and finally a main room where everyone meets up this can be after the check in with exercise rooms , food kitchen attached looking into the pool areas raquett ball courts
or exercise area.. this was fun ! Many of these items I have seen in pools as i have traveled around the country.
I second the chlorine instead of bromine, I get itchy in bromine.
A dream pool would be a fitness center that would bring in more users then just swimmers to offset costs..
50 meter pool x 25 yards 14 feet at deep end tapering to 4 feet (water areobics = early morning customers and money)at shallow with handicap ramp to walk in and out of pool in shallow area and.. a set of steps down to about 4 feet deep not just a climb up ladder to allow easy access in and out of deep end for handicap swimmers to easily get out of deep end for deep water aerobics. 8 Lap lanes 6 feet wide about 5 -6 feet deep in middle area toward the deep end (racing zone) all lanes in race zone same depth. 1st 50 feet pool is 14 feet to 12 feet deep 2nd 50 feet pool is 6 or 5 feet deep 3rd 50 ft pool tapers from 5 foot to 4 foot deep. A seperate baby pool for their fun and lessons 50ft by 50 ft. 2.5 feet deep for kids with a wide ramp "beach" tapering up to zero feet. A 3 meter board and two 1 meter boards at the deep end of the big pool. Cement bench style (tiled $$ or epoxy painted cement) seating around both pools gives places to sit and put swim gear, Bleacher area in big pool for meets, Lifeguard room in center of pool with room for meet officials and their computers Bay windows in both rooms looking out to pool. Hot tub in pool area near baby area. Windows to see outside around pool. a mirror on the wall in the pool area to check goggles/caps fitting. A fitness room with exercise machines ,weights, a dance room wood floor mirrors and a bar (ballet not a drinking bar), a couple of raquettball courts, a all purpose meeting room that can be rented for birthday parties confrences ect a small sales area at check in with some swim suits, goggles, nose plugs, racquatballs, swimcaps (my Watergear bubble strap cap size medium white color please). A secure locker area in the main check in area with small secure pay lockers for purses, wallets. A little food area with a good cup of coffee and some cheap food favorites hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, frozen pizza ,ice cream,(yea you got to have them for familys with kids) some healthy salads and sandwhiches,soft drinks. Great big hot water heater, several AED defib devices about the place. Locker rooms with baby change areas, plenty of room in locker room, and finally a main room where everyone meets up this can be after the check in with exercise rooms , food kitchen attached looking into the pool areas raquett ball courts
or exercise area.. this was fun ! Many of these items I have seen in pools as i have traveled around the country.
