Six Aquatic Design Group projects are featured in the Winter issue of Athletic Business Magazine, including on the cover! Click here to view the digital edition. Congratulations to all involved!
Waukee Community School District Natatorium
Waukee, Iowa
Serving not one but two large high schools as well as the local Waukee community, this 50-meter-stretch x 25-yard competition pool can support two full 25-yard competitions simultaneously, and the additional warm-up/teaching pool, abundant natural light, and intentional flow of movement through the competition and spectator spaces come together to provide a quality competition and community space for Iowa's fastest-growing school district. Working alongside RDG Planning & Design, Aquatic Design Group is proud to have provided design, engineering, and construction observation services for this state-of-the-art natatorium.
Rogue Credit Union Community and Events Complex (Rogue X)
Medford, Oregon
The Rogue Credit Union Community Complex, affectionately known as RogueX, boasts an impressive array of aquatic amenities catering to individuals and families alike. Working alongside Perkins & Will, Aquatic Design Group provided design, engineering, and construction observation services for the sprawling aquatics complex, which hosts a 13-lane indoor competition pool, the largest in the region, and caters to high school and club swimming and water polo events. Complementing this is a 6,000-square-foot recreational pool featuring interactive play structures and two water slides - a 96-ft speed slide and a 175-ft corkscrew slide that even extends outside the building, a lazy river, and a circular vortex, as well as an outdoor spray ground.
Central to its design are features aimed at providing both recreational enjoyment and educational opportunities. RogueX heavily prioritizes swimming lessons and water safety classes, which are particularly crucial in a region abundant with open water such as rivers and lakes. The expansive competitive pool is home to high school and club swimming and water polo teams and events. Beyond aquatics, Rogue X offers over 75,000 square feet of flexible event space, accommodating various activities from sports tournaments to trade shows. The multi-purpose event center can host up to eight basketball courts or 16 volleyball courts.
This project has also been recognized with a 2024 Design & Construction Award from the Oregon Recreation & Park Society and a 2024 Gold Award of Excellence from the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.
Mar VIsta High School
Imperial Beach, California
Working alongside Delawie, Aquatic Design Group provided comprehensive design, engineering, and construction observation services for the Mar Vista High School Aquatic Center with a primary focus on the deep gutter competition pool, including pool decks and deck drainage. The project aimed at modernizing and enhancing the existing facilities, including a 62-meter outdoor pool with 21 swim lanes, three teaching lanes, and bleachers capable of seating up to 400 spectators. The project also included a 10,000 SF aquatics support building with dual-use restrooms and concessions, pool covers and mechanical reels, exterior rinse stations and lockers, outdoor showers, and a cutting-edge digital audio-visual display with an AV scoreboard and timing display. With a focus on education, swimming, and training room programs, the design-build project involved meticulous planning and execution over four years. The project not only meets the immediate needs of the school but, as the current largest high school pool in Southern California, also positions the aquatics center as a dynamic venue for various community-wide activities.
Moana Springs Community Aquatics & Fitness Center
Reno, Nevada
The Moana Springs Aquatic Center site is steeped in local history, having once been home to a resort and natural hot springs, then later a beloved community pool. Following its closure in 2007, a 17-year grassroots movement to restore the region’s aquatic resources provided the planning, advocacy, and collaboration with the City of Reno and subsequently the Van Woert Bigotti Architects and Aquatic Design Group team necessary to open this expansive new facility in August 2024. At its core is a 50-meter competition pool, offering ten lanes for 50-meter lap swimming or 19 lanes of 25-yard swimming, along with one and three-meter diving boards, and a recreational pool with a lazy river, splash features, and a zero-depth entry. An outdoor soaking pool, maintained at temperatures in the high 90s, provides a tranquil, spa-like environment taking the site back to its original roots.
This 52,000 SF facility also features a state-of-the-art fitness center, locker rooms and restrooms, and a mother’s lounge. Thoughtfully designed with sustainability in mind, the center incorporates infrastructure for solar and geothermal energy utilization, preserves the area's historic tree canopy, and includes EV charging stations. This long-anticipated project is poised to serve as a crown jewel for aquatics in the Truckee Meadows for years to come.
Buckland Recreation Area Swimming Pool Replacement
Buckland, Massachusetts
The replaced Buckland Recreation Area Swimming Pool integrates sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement. Kuth Ranieri Architects and Aquatic Design Group worked with the community to design the pool as a central resource, fostering intergenerational engagement, wellness, and inclusivity. The pool offers multiple access points, an extended shallow plateau for early childhood water activities, and a sloped entry to enhance inclusivity. The facility includes a reception area, restrooms, indoor and outdoor changing rooms, first aid, staff areas, outdoor showers, and storage spaces. Centrally located within a park, playground, and rustic natural setting, the pool is fully and easily accessible within walking distance of a cluster of public recreational resources. The project's planning maximizes the synergy between the built and natural environment. The angled design complements the natural terrain, orienting the site toward scenic views of a nearby stream. Sustainability features include deep eaves for shading, natural daylighting and ventilation, and a roof designed for photovoltaic panels to achieve NetZero energy use. The project emphasizes durability with locally sourced materials and labor to reduce its carbon footprint. Community input deeply shaped the planning, ensuring the pool meets both individual and group needs. It serves as a model of how small communities can create sustainable, equitable, and resilient recreational spaces within modest budgets.
Washington Community Swim Center
Sunnyvale, California
Working alongside DAHLIN Architecture, Aquatic Design Group provided design, engineering, and construction observation services for the transformation of the Washington Community Swim Center, a cherished facility in the City of Sunnyvale, into a state-of-the-art aquatic complex. The new facility features an all-purpose recreation pool with a deck-level gutter system and a 1,500 SF children's wet play area, complete with interactive water play features.
Aligning with community needs, the focus of the Washington Community Swim Center project was on the recreational aspects of swimming, water play, swim lessons, and therapeutic uses. The design team ensured universal accessibility and programming, incorporating features such as a zero-depth entry, an accessible spray ground, and additional gender-neutral and family restrooms. The facility also includes a family observation area, a multipurpose room for training and events, a lifeguard control room, and staffing and registration areas.
The award-winning project, recognized with the 2022 APWA Silicon Valley Project of the Year Award and the 2022 Gold Nugget Merit Award for Best Recreational Use Facility, showcased exceptional design and functionality. The installation of a photovoltaic system to offset energy costs for year-round pool maintenance and the integration of public art, with a theme inspired by the community's choice to retain the "Under the Sea" theme of the original facility further enhances the facility's appeal.