Community Recreation Facility

It’s in the water!

During programming for the Community Recreational Facility (CRF) the client insisted on using a pool that they had recently purchased. The pool, a 50 meter Myrtha pool, required approval from the District of State Architect. It helped that the pool had just recently been used for the 2004 Olympic trials in Long Beach, CA. After multiple reviews for a suitable and budget worthy substructure, the pool was approved and installed. Now students and the community alike swim in the same pool where future gold medalist swam.

Description

Also known as the Natatorium building in the Master Plan, the CRF is intended to provide a quality environment for learning and competition swimming. The facility consists of a CRF building, a 50 meter pool and surrounding site development. The CRF building is intended to house lockers, showers, offices, storage, multi-purpose room, pool mechanical room and related spaces. The swimming pool will be sized as a competition pool, 50 meter x 25 yards and will have bleachers for the public. Site development includes parking lot, landscaping and building access.

Challenges

Owner furnished used Myrtha 2004 Olympic trials pool, gaining Division of State Architecture approvals, local agencies approvals. The discovery of undocumented soil fill lead to a suggestion of piles by the geotechnical consultant, however over excavation to bed rock then engineered fill back to bottom of foundations was used instead. Huge earth moving to re-sculpt the site for the Aquatic center now and future projects. ADA challenges due to huge elevation changes across campus.

After completion and move in by the users, additional work was started for LEED landscaping, irrigation & site work, and solar heating panels. This portion of the project was constructed while the new CRF facility remains in operation. Coordination efforts for utility shutdowns, parking lot and walkway closures were coordinated with the CHC campus and scheduled accordingly.