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
Poor planning is better than no planning at all when it comes to pools.
I live in Champaign/Urbana Illinois. Our swimming situation is a real mess. The only indoor pool in Urbana, a city of about 37,000 has been down since late summer. the high school guys team is swimming at a pool in an appartment complex owned by the univberisty. The Univeristy of Illinois is here. No men's swim team. Its large fitness center is going through a huge remodelling. But if you aren't affliated with the univeristy, it is extremely expensive to swim ther. Champaign, about 65,000, has no indoor public pool. There are pools that are used for the high schools. The Y is a shame. there is mold growiing inthe men's ocker room. to swim there is to be punished.
Now some people want to build a 50 meter indoor pool. It will take every dime avaiable to build it. Everyone thinks that the university should get involved. I know that from a grad class I took on rec management, the idea of getting many organizaitons & governmental bodies together is great if it works. But when it doesn't work (as is the case inUrbana), it is ure diasater.
I also think that if public money is going to go to build the pool, then the pool is mandated to be available to all. Even those who can't afford ot pay for using it!
Poor planning is better than no planning at all when it comes to pools.
I live in Champaign/Urbana Illinois. Our swimming situation is a real mess. The only indoor pool in Urbana, a city of about 37,000 has been down since late summer. the high school guys team is swimming at a pool in an appartment complex owned by the univberisty. The Univeristy of Illinois is here. No men's swim team. Its large fitness center is going through a huge remodelling. But if you aren't affliated with the univeristy, it is extremely expensive to swim ther. Champaign, about 65,000, has no indoor public pool. There are pools that are used for the high schools. The Y is a shame. there is mold growiing inthe men's ocker room. to swim there is to be punished.
Now some people want to build a 50 meter indoor pool. It will take every dime avaiable to build it. Everyone thinks that the university should get involved. I know that from a grad class I took on rec management, the idea of getting many organizaitons & governmental bodies together is great if it works. But when it doesn't work (as is the case inUrbana), it is ure diasater.
I also think that if public money is going to go to build the pool, then the pool is mandated to be available to all. Even those who can't afford ot pay for using it!
