The first mascot-shaped pool in the country
that's environmentally sensitive and
economically efficient.

SERVICES PROVIDED

THE CHALLENGE

Providing a one of a kind experience for the students of CU Boulder while working with the confines of existing infrastructure and antiquated systems that were no longer code compliant.

The Solution

The CU Boulder student recreation center included several dated bodies of water that were not code compliant and did not provide the experiences that today’s students expect. Aquatic Design Group, working with Davis Partnership and Cannon Design, were challenged with rehabbing the existing diving well and lap pool in the student recreation center and creating a new outdoor experience that could service lap swimmers, casual swimmers, loungers, and students who just wanted a place to play in the water outdoors.

The two existing pools were comingled and treated as one body of water. All the equipment for these pools were located in the basement beneath the recreation center. The room was very cramped and full of equipment that was 30+ years old. Aquatic Design Group worked to provide a solution that reused this existing space as code required that each pool now have its own separate equipment.

As part of a LEED Platinum project selecting the most efficient and energy friendly equipment was imperative to the success of the overall project. In addition to the complete rehabilitation of the two existing pools, a new outdoor pool was added that closely matches “Ralphie” the school mascot. This shape and idea came out of a student focus group and is a terrific example of how important interaction and input from students is to the success of any project. “Ralphie” consists of two lap lanes, a lounge ledge, and a hydrotherapy area.

Work-Higher Education

University of Colorado Student Recreation Center Expansion, Boulder, Colorado

Aquatic Design Group provided consulting services as required for a condition assessment of the existing swimming pools and concepts for the new outdoor pool during the programming and concept phase, as well as design and engineering services for the renovation of the existing indoor diving pool, lap pool, and related mechanical and chemical systems, and a new outdoor recreation/leisure pool of approximately 3,500 SF and related mechanical and chemical systems. The outdoor pool was modeled after the school’s beloved mascot, Ralph the Buffalo, and is the nation’s first mascot-shaped pool. This project was the winner of the 2016 National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Outstanding Sports Facilities Award.

The Results

An overwhelming success, the rehabilitated indoor pools use 30% less water and heat than the old systems. The outdoor pool uses reject heat from the new ice rink in the student recreation center and does not utilize any natural gas or electricity for its temperature control. In addition to providing a great experience for current students, “Ralphie” has become a highly discussed amenity among alumni.