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
More ideal things:
* Lots of light without glare. Our pool has lights that can only be accessed by a narrow catwalk 10m above shallow water and it's a huge deal to clean out the dead bugs and change bulbs. The swimmers need to be able to see the bottom clearly for turns, officials need good lighting to see turns, and media need good light for cameras (TV has especially difficult requirements for lots of foot-candles). Also use light colors on walls etc so the effect is bright and clean, not dank and dreary.
* Excellent ventilation system to conserve energy and chemical costs and yet have good temps/good air including at the water surface. Other design issues should also keep in mind how much it will cost to operate / utilities. We have problems running indoor summer meets because our computer can overheat and humidity makes the paper jam in the printers, not to mention that the parents, coaches and officials are miserable. On the flip side the swimmers need to have draft free comfortable air during meets or they won't swim well. Seems like every area has a pool where everyone complains that the air makes them cough for a few days.
* Separate warmer water shallow / small pool for instruction and water exercises ? Separate diving well can duplicate for warmup/warmdown
* Spectator area should be able to view both ends of the pool esp if running two competition courses.
More ideal things:
* Lots of light without glare. Our pool has lights that can only be accessed by a narrow catwalk 10m above shallow water and it's a huge deal to clean out the dead bugs and change bulbs. The swimmers need to be able to see the bottom clearly for turns, officials need good lighting to see turns, and media need good light for cameras (TV has especially difficult requirements for lots of foot-candles). Also use light colors on walls etc so the effect is bright and clean, not dank and dreary.
* Excellent ventilation system to conserve energy and chemical costs and yet have good temps/good air including at the water surface. Other design issues should also keep in mind how much it will cost to operate / utilities. We have problems running indoor summer meets because our computer can overheat and humidity makes the paper jam in the printers, not to mention that the parents, coaches and officials are miserable. On the flip side the swimmers need to have draft free comfortable air during meets or they won't swim well. Seems like every area has a pool where everyone complains that the air makes them cough for a few days.
* Separate warmer water shallow / small pool for instruction and water exercises ? Separate diving well can duplicate for warmup/warmdown
* Spectator area should be able to view both ends of the pool esp if running two competition courses.
