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
What a great list of suggestions ? I wish we were building a pool too !
Reading this discussion I see two recurring themes:
1. Know your customer-base with your community, region, state and within national organizations and highlight what you are building to address these customer needs and know the revenue that each of these generate:
a. competitive swimming program (78-80 F water)
i. USA Swimming - rentals & usages
ii high school championships
iii USMS and our nationals*
*You might asked our USMS Championship committee on the standards used to evaluate pools toward hosting our nationals, and be sure to exceed them !
b. recreational swimmers (80-83 F water) including lap swimmers, some triathletes and other miscellaneous groups like daycare kid, home school programs, etc.
c. water aerobic/exercise ( 81-84 F water)
d. hydrotherapy (need 87+ F water)
2. Spending a little more money up front will create a lot of opportunities if your facility can meet these customer needs, as you will attract more usagage. Lots of details like lockerroom, access, deck space, adjoining room, built-in pace clocks, scoreboards, spectator seating, equipment room for computer system, designs for touch pads on bulkhead, desired width and depth of pool, diving equipment, etc...
Best of luck sythnesizing these ideas into a master plan (which may get cut down into your budget eventually).
What a great list of suggestions ? I wish we were building a pool too !
Reading this discussion I see two recurring themes:
1. Know your customer-base with your community, region, state and within national organizations and highlight what you are building to address these customer needs and know the revenue that each of these generate:
a. competitive swimming program (78-80 F water)
i. USA Swimming - rentals & usages
ii high school championships
iii USMS and our nationals*
*You might asked our USMS Championship committee on the standards used to evaluate pools toward hosting our nationals, and be sure to exceed them !
b. recreational swimmers (80-83 F water) including lap swimmers, some triathletes and other miscellaneous groups like daycare kid, home school programs, etc.
c. water aerobic/exercise ( 81-84 F water)
d. hydrotherapy (need 87+ F water)
2. Spending a little more money up front will create a lot of opportunities if your facility can meet these customer needs, as you will attract more usagage. Lots of details like lockerroom, access, deck space, adjoining room, built-in pace clocks, scoreboards, spectator seating, equipment room for computer system, designs for touch pads on bulkhead, desired width and depth of pool, diving equipment, etc...
Best of luck sythnesizing these ideas into a master plan (which may get cut down into your budget eventually).
