Without a new aquatic center, El Centro had no good options for teaching people the lifesaving skill of swimming, or providing a place to cool off in a region known for its high temperature climate.

SERVICES PROVIDED

THE CHALLENGE

The City of El Centro actively worked on securing the funding for a new aquatic center for 15 years. Due to the culture of the El Centro community and its proximity to Mexico, as well as the desire to make the new aquatic center a region-wide destination, a large and bilingual community outreach effort shaped the planning and execution of the new facility. The use of Spanish and English to solicit community input exhibited El Centro’s commitment to ensuring the new aquatic center would truly be a community desired product that would provide safe recreational opportunities for all.

The land allocated to house the new aquatic center had to be creatively reworked to support the reception of a 3.5 acre aquatic center. Between the long and narrow shape of the parcel, existing through-traffic, and a population of homeless citizens inhabiting the site, Aquatic Design Group worked through creative solutions with community input to elicit a community-positive end result. To ensure traffic would not be a concern, a pass-through street was closed to facilitate the new park. With a large senior living center directly across the street, their input was invaluable to make sure this facility could serve patrons of every age, ethnicity, and background.

The Solution

The award-winning facility features a 25-yard competition pool, an interactive children’s / recreational pool, an instructional / fitness pool, a lazy river, beautiful support buildings, and space for a future water slide. The competition pool features eight, 25-yard lanes and pool depths that range from 3’-6” to 10’-3”. The interactive children’s / recreational pool is circular in shape and has 12 unique interactive water play features. The instructional / fitness pool features three, 25-yard lanes, pool depths that range from 3’-0” to 4’-6”, and stairs that run the entire length of the pool.

Aquatic Design Group also looked to the future, and the aquatic center was designed for future expansion including a large slide complex to be located adjacent to the lazy river.

To further meet the diverse needs of area residents, the City of El Centro has developed a cost structure for using the aquatic center on a variety of levels from individual day use, family rates, summer passes, and annual membership along with rates for private parties and events. With over 13,500 square feet of water of various depths and temperatures, a wide array of aquatic programming is offered to meet the present and future needs of any El Centro and Imperial County regional resident. 

Aside from El Centro residents, the aquatic center is a focal point for everyone living in and around Imperial County. With the size, location and variety of swimming and recreational water activities the center can offer, the aquatic center is used for family fun, competition swimming and training, therapeutic activities, lifeguard training, and other events.

The Results

The El Centro Aquatic Center is a prime example of the City of El Centro’s dedication to recreation, its citizen’s needs, and opportunities to support jobs in the local economy. Being modern, large, and having a regional draw, it attracts people of all ages to the recreation industry for employment. Employment opportunities for teens is especially important in this region, and the El Centro Aquatic Center currently employs 24 lifeguard / swim instructors between the ages of 16 and 25, many of whom are enrolled in local high schools and colleges.

The City of El Centro has also been a member of the American Red Cross Centennial Campaign since 2013. This partnerships allows for the city to grow its learn-to-swim program by offering swim lesson scholarships for children and adults.

The new El Centro Aquatic Center provides a unique and modern community recreational asset. Aquatic programming that serves individuals ages 6 months and up at a safe, attractive, and comfortable modern facility was the goal ever since the previous El Centro aquatic facility closed in 2004. El Centro is proud to say that since the opening of the new aquatic center in the Fall of 2019, the goal has not only been met but exceeded and a tremendous amount of success achieved. This new aquatic center is a central hub for the community, providing residents a better level of services, pride in their community, and an example of what all residents can accomplish working together.

PROJECT DATA

Owner: City of El Centro

Client: Kimley Horn and Associates

Contractor: Hamel Construction

Specialty Pool Contractor: California Commercial Pools

Date Completed: Fall 2019

Aquatics Budget: $4,112,658