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
One more thing to consider, lay out the grandest plan you can come up with and select a site if possible that that plan can be built on. Then scale the plan back to your budget and build the facility so that in the future the things you did not have the money for can be easily added on, a modular concept.
Do you really need a 50 meter pool? Will you be running that many meets to really need that lenght and everyday expense (additional life guards/chemicals/water/light/electric)
Does your area already have fitness centers with raquattball courts, dance room ect. These extras are a lot cheaper to build then a extra 25 meters of pool .If this is a public or community pool you may serve needs better with a 25 yd by 25 meter pool and a couple of raquattball courts and a exercise machine treadmills ect area. Any pool can be added on to later at the shallow end if its planned that way.
Dont forget the kitchen food area even if its a mini kitchen ,big locker rooms,pool windows lots of hot water and make it a bright well lighted pool. dimmly lit pools give the place a dank look.
And for a grand pool I agree with Ande about the 60 meters lenght. That way you can have one of those moveable dividers set up for meets at 50 meters from the deep side so the shallow end 30 plus feet away can be 3.5 feet and the start can be 4.5 or maybe 5 feet deep. When the meets over the divider moves to the deep end/shallow end area.
One more thing to consider, lay out the grandest plan you can come up with and select a site if possible that that plan can be built on. Then scale the plan back to your budget and build the facility so that in the future the things you did not have the money for can be easily added on, a modular concept.
Do you really need a 50 meter pool? Will you be running that many meets to really need that lenght and everyday expense (additional life guards/chemicals/water/light/electric)
Does your area already have fitness centers with raquattball courts, dance room ect. These extras are a lot cheaper to build then a extra 25 meters of pool .If this is a public or community pool you may serve needs better with a 25 yd by 25 meter pool and a couple of raquattball courts and a exercise machine treadmills ect area. Any pool can be added on to later at the shallow end if its planned that way.
Dont forget the kitchen food area even if its a mini kitchen ,big locker rooms,pool windows lots of hot water and make it a bright well lighted pool. dimmly lit pools give the place a dank look.
And for a grand pool I agree with Ande about the 60 meters lenght. That way you can have one of those moveable dividers set up for meets at 50 meters from the deep side so the shallow end 30 plus feet away can be 3.5 feet and the start can be 4.5 or maybe 5 feet deep. When the meets over the divider moves to the deep end/shallow end area.
