Student recreation centres
Of special interest has been the trend among colleges and universities to incorporate more recreation and leisure pools into their student recreation centres.
For example, in a recent project for the University of Texas at Austin, the UT RecSports staff cited the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort as a model for what they wanted to develop at the Gregory Gymnasium Aquatics Complex. The project included an indoor, six lane 23-m (75.1-ft) lap pool, an indoor instructional pool, an outdoor, 10-lane 23-m (75.1-ft) lap pool, large outdoor hydrotherapy spa, an outdoor ‘event’ pool for water volleyball and basketball, and an outdoor leisure pool featuring an underwater shelf to accommodate in-water chaise lounges.
The complex has a resort feel to it, with grilled food concessions, generous deck space, turf areas, lots of shade, free Wi-Fi and the ubiquitous wet (and dry) chaise lounges. One of the stated goals for the project was to enhance the university’s ability to recruit students by providing a fun and relaxing environment to escape from the rigours of academic life. Based on the crowds that flock to this unique amenity, the Gregory Gymnasium Aquatics Complex has achieved that goal and then some.
San Diego State University also recently built the Aztec AquaPlex. The complex includes a 23- x 52-m (75.1- x 170.5-ft) competition pool for the school’s athletes, as well as a 683-m2 (7,350-sf) recreational pool with lap swim area, zero-depth entry and space for a future waterslide. A 23-m2 (250-sf) cloverleaf-shaped hydrotherapy spa rounds out the mix of pools on site. The AquaPlex is so popular that “pedestrian traffic patterns have changed on campus, with students wanting to see and be seen,” according to Eric Huth, SDSU’s campus recreation director.
To reduce operating costs for utilities, the spectator seating shade structure supports thermal solar arrays, which heat the pool water. In addition, photovoltaic solar panels, which generate electricity, were recently added on a hillside adjacent to the pool mechanical room. The AquaPlex was a natural complement to the adjacent sports fields, tennis centre and Aztec Recreation Center, which was completed a few years previously.
In summary
Pool amenity areas can be (and usually are) the most capital and maintenance intensive parts of any park, community centre, student recreation centre or resort development. However, if the owner/operator has a clear, well-communicated vision for the project, the pools are properly sized for the anticipated number of guests, and amenities and attractions have a broad appeal to the target audience, attendance will rise, guest experience will be enhanced and cost recovery will increase dramatically.
Randy Mendioroz is a principal with Aquatic Design Group in Carlsbad, Calif., a consulting firm specializing in the programming, planning, design and engineering of competitive, recreational and leisure-based aquatic facilities. He can be reached via e-mail at rmendioroz@aquaticdesigngroup.com.
