After months of development, the city of Batesville, Ark., has recently opened a new indoor aquatic facility with a retractable roof in the heart of Fitzhugh Park, which offers guests a year-round outdoor atmosphere.
Whether visitors are in the indoor or outdoor section of the Batesville Community Center Aquatic Park, guests are able to enjoy a vibrant outdoor experience, thanks to a 1951-m2 (21,000-sf) retractable roof enclosure designed and built by OpenAire Inc., a retractable roof designer based in Oakville, Ont.
The 29-m (95-ft) x 68.3-m (224-ft) double-slope structure features 14 sliding doors and 20 retractable roof panels, which open quickly at the touch of a button to allow an abundance of sunlight and fresh air to enter the indoor section. In cold or inclement weather, the panels and doors shut securely to allow year-round use of the facility.
The aquatic centre’s outdoor section includes a dive pool, wading pool, and waterslide amongst other attractions, while the indoor section features an eight-lane pool, splash pad, heated-therapy pool, and bathhouse.
The modern-looking enclosure, built of lightweight aluminum trusses and polycarbonate panels, co-ordinates well with other buildings in the city. The indoor enclosure links seamlessly with the main community centre at one end and the bathhouse at the other, allowing guests to move freely between these sections.
