Aquatic Design Group 2026 Tradeshows Update

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Bring your toughest technical questions to the table at the Association of Aquatic Professionals International Aquatics & Water Safety Conference! Justin Caron will be joining ProMinent North America's Connan Campbell for an Aquatic Technical Talk - an interactive opportunity to engage directly with industry experts and fellow aquatic professionals and get your burning questions answered.

🔗 Learn more here.

Ready to learn more about K-12 aquatics? Visit Aquatic Design Group's Dennis Berkshire, Scott Palmer, and Stephanie Fujimura in Booth No. 311 at the California Coalition for Adequate School Housing (C.A.S.H.) 47th Annual Conference on School Facilities in Sacramento! With hundreds of California K-12 projects under our belts in the last 40+ years, we're ready to bring your school's dream pool to reality.

🔗 Learn more here.

Visit Justin Caron and Dennis Berkshire in Booth No. 420 and don’t miss their educational sessions at the California Park & Recreation Society 2026 Annual Conference and Expo, March 10-13 in Long Beach, California.

🔗 View the Floor Plan here.

🔗 View the schedule here.

Connect with Senior Marketing Specialist Ellen Fohl at the SMPS Southeastern Regional Conference (SERC), March 17-19 in Norfolk, Virginia. Aquatic Design Group is a proud Bronze sponsor of SMPS Virginia, the conference host chapter!

Beyond the Looking Glass: Clarity, Creativity, and Connection in a New Landscape

Michael Mancini will be presenting at the 2026 Massachusetts Recreation & Park Association Annual Conference! He’ll explore how spray grounds can be designed for safety, accessibility, sustainability, and long-term success—not just opening day. Learn how thoughtful planning can help your community create water play spaces that are easier to maintain, more inclusive, and built to serve generations to come.

🔗 Learn more here.

Don't miss Michael Mancini’s debut in at the Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks Society 2026 Conference & Expo, speaking about inclusive aquatics and successful community pool renovations in Manheim, Pennsylvania on March 26!

🔗 Learn more here.

Michelle Gable, Alecia Stegenga, and Ellen Fohl will be representing Aquatic Design Group at NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo 2026 in National Harbor, Maryland! Look for us in Booth #413, or find us presenting on inclusive aquatics and staffing solutions.

🔗 Learn more here.

🔗 View the Floor Plan here.

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CATCH US IF YOU CAN!

Stephanie Fujimura, AIA LEED AP Named as Principal of Aquatic Design Group!

Aquatic Design Group is happy to announce that Stephanie Fujimura has been named a Principal, recognizing her leadership, experience, and people-first approach to aquatic design.

Stephanie brings 18 years of experience in architecture, with a focus on community and aquatic facilities. Her background allows her to look at projects holistically—considering the site, building, and pool together, rather than as separate parts. That big-picture mindset helps project teams and clients make smarter decisions early on and troubleshoot more effectively throughout design and construction.

““My experience helps me see the full picture—from site planning to building systems to pool construction. That perspective is especially helpful when challenges come up during design or in the field.””

What really drives Stephanie is helping clients solve problems and creating aquatic environments people genuinely love to use. From project management and construction support to opening day, she’s focused on making sure both the process and the end result are positive—for clients, project teams, and the communities these facilities serve.

““When a facility opens and you see how much it means to the community, that’s the most rewarding part.””

Stephanie is also deeply committed to team building and mentorship. She believes great projects come from strong, supported teams—and that helping others grow ultimately makes everyone better.

““No one can whistle a symphony,” she says. “It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” ”

— H.E. Luccock

Favorite Projects

Some of Stephanie’s most meaningful projects include:

The Wave at Emerald Glen – A project that closely overlaps with her own life milestones. Stephanie began work on the project shortly after welcoming her child and later experienced the facility as a parent—watching it become a community gathering place, a refuge during COVID, and eventually a competition venue where she cheered on her son and saw his name up in lights.

Smith Park (Pico Rivera) – An upcoming project she’s excited to see come to life and serve its community.

Urho Saari Swim Stadium & Griffith Park Aquatic Center – Projects that combine aquatics with historic architecture, a longtime personal interest.

Outside the Office

When she’s not working on aquatic facilities, Stephanie enjoys visiting airplane museums (thanks to her plane-obsessed son), exploring historic architecture, and discovering new corners of San Diego. She’s currently taking suggestions, if any gentle readers have favorite spots to share!

As a Principal, Stephanie will continue to help guide Aquatic Design Group’s work through thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and a strong focus on client and community outcomes.

Please join us in congratulating Stephanie on this well-deserved role.

Aquatic Design Group honored by Athletic Business Magazine!

Four Aquatic Design Group projects were recently selected for the Athletic Business Magazine 2026 Aquatic Design Portfolio! Congratulations to all involved!

View the entire digital edition here.

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Francis Parker High School Outdoor Pool

San Diego, California

Aquatic Design Group provided design and engineering services for a 25-meter x 25-yard competition pool featuring a dedicated shallow area and expansive pool decks. As the centerpiece of the new Vassiliadis Athletic Center at Francis Parker High School, the 7,350 SF heated multi-purpose pool at the Douglas Aquatic Center is designed to support both competitive training and recreational use. Nestled behind the Student Life Center and Field House designed by Gensler, the Aquatic Center offers a versatile aquatic environment that enhances student life while complementing a broader 30,000 SF campus expansion at the prestigious private school.

Learn more here.

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Rockville Swim & Fitness Center Outdoor Recreation Pool Replacement

Rockville, MD

The Rockville Swim and Fitness Center’s outdoor recreation complex has been transformed into a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable destination for the community. Addressing aging infrastructure and shifting recreation needs, the renovation replaced outdated pools with a diverse mix of aquatics environments designed to promote fitness, play and wellness for all ages and abilities. The facility now features a six-lane, 25-yard fitness pool for lap swimming and instruction, a recreation pool with dual zero-depth entries, interactive play structures, a tanning ledge and a lily pad crossing. There are also two 35-foot waterslides and a splashpad offering safe, dynamic play opportunities for younger users. Simplified circulation, expanded deck space, and shaded gathering areas enhance comfort and accessibility, while a renovated pump room and new filtration and mechanical systems deliver energy-efficient, reliable operation. Throughout planning, design and construction, community input and sustainability guided every decision. The result is a contemporary aquatics environment that balances recreation and performance, reestablishes the facility as a year-round destination and sets a new standard for municipal aquatics design excellence. Thank you to our partners at LSG Landscape Architecture and the City of Rockville for entrusting us with this transformative project!

Learn more here.

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Monte Nitzkowski Aquatics Center at long beach city college

Long Beach, Ca

The Monte Nitzkowski Aquatics Center stands as the centerpiece of the new Kinesiology Labs and Athletic Complex at Long Beach City College creating a modern home for swimming, diving and water polo that honors one of the college’s most storied water polo coaches. Designed to meet the needs of student-athletes, kinesiology programs and the surrounding community, the complex supports both collegiate competition and lifelong wellness. The Olympic-size, 65-meter pool features a movable bulkhead that allows simultaneous training formats for swimming, diving and water polo. Two 1-meter and two 3-meter diving boards, LED multimedia scoreboards, a 474-seat spectator gallery, and night lighting make the venue adaptable for practice, instruction and events. Complementary facilities include team rooms, locker rooms, training spaces, and a multipurpose event area that enhances collaboration between athletics and academics. The aquatics center replaces an outdated facility with one that embodies performance, flexibility and access for all. By combining instructional space with competition-level amenities, the center serves as both a high-performance training venue and a community resource, continuing LBCC’s legacy of aquatics excellence while inspiring future generations of athletes. Congratulations to the entire team, including our partners at Westburg White Architecture!

Learn more here.

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3Roots Wellness Park Pools

Mira Mesa, Ca

At the heart of the 3Roots master-planned community in San Diego, the Wellness Park pools serve as a vibrant focal point for health, recreation and connection. Designed in conjunction with SWA Group, Lennar Communities and Fit Athletic, the complex anchors the community’s holistic approach to wellness through aquatics environments that celebrate movement, landscape and social interaction. The aquatics facility features include a 4,500-square-foot, resort-style pool with beach entry, in-water volleyball, and a lush deck outfitted with 110 chaise lounges, nine cabanas, towel service and a dedicated spa area. A separate 25-by-75-foot lap pool supports fitness and training, complemented by a fireplace lounge and additional cabanas. Decorative concrete finishes, contemporary lighting and curated plantings create a resort-quality experience that transitions effortlessly from day to night. Echoing the site’s history as the former Carroll Canyon Quarry, the cabanas are constructed from concrete developed onsite, tying the aquatic design to the community’s roots and sustainable vision. Together with the two-story Fit & Rec Center, the pools embody 3Roots’ guiding principles of wellness, sustainability and connection — transforming an industrial landscape into a dynamic, nature-driven family aquatics destination.

Learn more here.

Happy Holidays from Aquatic Design Group!

As the holidays approach, we’re reflecting on a year filled with collaboration, creativity, and shared success.

From high-performance competition spaces where athletes train, compete, and excel, to spaces for wellness and recovery, places for family fun, and bringing communities together, to sharing what we know and collaborating with valued partners, and 20 industry awards - we're proud of what we've accomplished together with partners like you!

Our office will be closed starting at noon PST on Wednesday, December 24, and we will resume operations on Monday, January 5, 2026. We look forward to returning rested, refueled, and ready to take on 2026 with the same unwavering passion that has fueled our commitment over more than four decades.

Wishing you a joyous holiday and a bright 2026 from your friends at Aquatic Design Group!

Aquatic Design Group honored by AIA East Bay!

Three Aquatic Design Group projects were recently honored by AIA East Bay. Congratulations to all involved!

college of marin miwok aquatic center

indian valley, California

AIA East Bay 2025 Design Awards Honorable Mention

Alongside our partners at ELS Architecture and Urban Design, Aquatic Design Group provided design and engineering services for a new 50-meter deep gutter competition pool, new six-lane x 25-yard rim flow warm-up pool, dive pool, and dive tower for the College of Marin Miwok Center. The pools were designed for joint use and programming by the College of Marin as well as the surrounding community for aquatics classes, swim team practices and meets, and camps. The new state-of-the-art campus recreation and wellness center also includes a gymnasium and cardio, group fitness, and weight lifting area as well as classrooms, locker rooms, administrative and staff spaces, and indoor/outdoor workout studios. Designed to be LEED Platinum-equivalent, the facility incorporates several energy-saving measures, such as utilizing pool covers and reusing the water from the pool backwash process to irrigate the campus quad lawn.

The Miwok Center has also received the 2024 Award of Excellence – Specialized Facility, Community College Facilities Coalition, as well as the 2024 Merit Award for Education, Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada, and was featured in the 2024 Athletic Business Magazine Aquatic Design Portfolio.

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Santa Ana Memorial Park Master Plan and Aquatic Center

Santa Ana, CA

AIA East Bay 2025 Citation Award

Aquatic Design Group is proud to contribute our design, engineering, and construction observation services for this transformative project — including the replacement of the existing 50-meter pool with a new multi-purpose recreation pool and updated decks and drainage. We look forward to seeing the $30M first phase come to life and the lasting impact this facility will have on the Santa Ana community. Congratulations to our partners at the City of Santa Ana and ELS Architecture and Urban Design + SWA Group.

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rengstorff aquatic center

mountain view, ca

AIA East Bay 2025 Citation Award

Alongside our partners at ELS Architecture and Urban Design, Aquatic Design Group provided design, engineering, and construction observation services for Schematic Design through Construction Administration phases for the replacement of the Rengstorff Aquatic Center, which was not meeting the needs of a modern municipal aquatics program and had reached the end of its useful life.

The City of Mountain View chose to design and build its new Rengstorff Aquatic Center in compliance with the city-mandated zero fossil fuel appliances ordinance. This meant the buildings, domestic water, and swimming pool water had to be heated from all electric sources. The Rengstorff Aquatic Center is the first all-electric outdoor municipal aquatic center in the state of California. The facility features a 25-meter by 25-yard swimming pool and a 4,600 square foot activity pool featuring a beach entry, interactive play area, lap and fitness area, and a water slide.

To accomplish this, the project engineers have turned to a multi-pronged electric heating approach. The entire facility is being heated with electric air-to-water exchange heat pumps and PVT, photo-voltaic thermal combination solar panels. The system is sized for the electric heat pumps to provide 60% of the heat load required for the building, showers, and swimming pool water heaters.

The solar panels are a new variety that incorporates both photovoltaic electrical generation and thermal heating of liquids. The solar panels will generate electricity for some of the load of the heat pumps. The thermal heating of the panels is connected to a series of heat exchangers, which are then connected to the heating of the building, heating of domestic water, and exchangers to heat each of the two swimming pools. Each heat load: building, domestic water, and swimming pools, is provided with a pair of heat exchangers, one for the electric chillers and one for the solar thermal heat. The system is expected to maintain typical temperatures for the building, domestic water, and program-related 82-degree water for the 25-meter pool and 85 to 86-degree water for the activity pool.

Aquatic Design Group Fall 2025 Tradeshows

San Diego Convention Center | San Diego, CA

Conference: November 5-8, 2025 | Expo: November 6-7, 2025 

Who will we see at the 2025 Athletic Business Show - right here in our backyard of San Diego?! From pre-conference tours to featured sessions, we’re involved every step of the way!

🔹 Find us at Booth #1625 in the heart of the expo – come say hello!
🔹 Proud Aquatic Track Seminars Sponsor

Participating in TWO pre-conference tours:

Tour A: Featuring the ADG-designed Coronado Island Recreation & Aquatics Center

Tour C: Aquatics Tour featuring THREE ADG-designed facilities

View fullsize

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PRESENTING FOUR EXPERT-LED SESSIONS:

Navigating Choppy Waters: Effective Budget Management in Athletic Facility Design and Construction with Justin Caron
Thursday, November 6, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Pool Ops IRL: Hot Takes from The Experts with Dennis Berkshire
Thursday, November 6, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Maximizing Safety and Efficiency in Hydrotherapy Pool Design with Justin Caron
Friday, November 7, 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Wet or Dry or Both? A Needs- and Economics-Based Planning Approach to Designing Aquatics and/or Indoor Recreation Centers with Justin Caron
Friday, November 7, 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

If you’re attending, let’s connect! Our office is just up the road in Carlsbad — drop by or reach out to schedule a visit. 

📆 Get the full schedule here.

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marrioTt oceanfront | virginia beach, va

November 5-7, 2025

Look out for our Senior Marketing Specialist, Ellen Fohl, at the 2025 Surf Park Summit, right in HER backyard in Virginia Beach, VA. Let’s connect and check out the newly-opened Atlantic Park!

📆 Learn more here.

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ARIA | Prospect, ct

November 4, 2025

Look for Michael Mancini at the CSBGA 2025 Vendor Day Expo at Aria in Prospect, CT. The education program runs from 8:30 - 9:30am, and the Vendor Show is open from 9:30am - 1:30pm, giving you plenty of time to catch up! 

📆 Learn more here.

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Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) | Orlando, FL

Conference: November 17 – 20, 2025 | Expo: November 18 – 21, 2025

Catch Justin Caron on the expo floor at IAAPA 2025 - reach out and let’s connect.

📆 Learn more here.

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las vegas convention center north hall | las vegas, nv

October 22-24, 2025

Aquatic Design Group will be represented by Michelle Gable and Stephanie Fujimura at the 2025 International Pool / Spa / Patio Expo and Conference, sponsored by the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. Catch them on the expo floor, attending sessions, and accepting awards! 

📆 Learn more here.

See you there!

Aquatic Design Group honored by ENR West California & Nevada & AIA Orange County

Three Aquatic Design Group projects were recently selected for the ENR West California and Nevada 2025 Regional Best Projects Awards Competition and honored by AIA Orange County. Congratulations to all involved!

Francis Parker High School Outdoor Pool

San Diego, California

ENR West California & Nevada 2025 Regional Best Project Award of Merit - K-12 Education

Aquatic Design Group provided design and engineering services for a 25-meter x 25-yard competition pool featuring a dedicated shallow area and expansive pool decks. As the centerpiece of the new Vassiliadis Athletic Center at Francis Parker High School, the 7,350 SF heated multi-purpose pool is designed to support both competitive training and recreational use. Nestled behind the Student Life Center and Field House designed by Gensler, the Aquatic Center offers a versatile aquatic environment that enhances student life while complementing a broader 30,000 SF campus expansion at the prestigious private school.

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Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center

Reno, NV

ENR West California & Nevada 2025 Regional Best Project Award of Merit - Sports/Entertainment

Alongside our partners at Van Woert Bigotti Architects, Aquatic Design Group provided design, engineering, and construction observation for the new Moana Springs Aquatic Center, including a 50-meter competition pool, offering 10 lanes for lap 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 as 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 necessary to open this expansive new facility in August 2024. 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.

This project has also been selected for numerous other industry awards, including but not limited to the 2025 Athletic Business Aquatic Design Portfolio.

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Santa Ana Memorial Park Master Plan and Aquatic Center

Santa Ana, CA

AIA Orange County 2025 Design Award of Merit

Aquatic Design Group is proud to contribute our design, engineering, and construction observation services for this transformative project — including the replacement of the existing 50-meter pool with a new multi-purpose recreation pool and updated decks and drainage. We look forward to seeing the $30M first phase come to life and the lasting impact this facility will have on the Santa Ana community. Congratulations to our partners at the City of Santa Ana and ELS Architecture and Urban Design + SWA Group.

Aquatic Design Group honored by the Pool & Hot Tub Association (PHTA)

Two Aquatic Design Group projects were recently selected for the 2025 Pool and Hot Tub Association Awards of Excellence. Congratulations to all involved!

Waukee Community School District Natatorium

Waukee, Iowa

Serving not one but two large high schools in the Waukee Community School District as well as the local 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. This project was also selected for the 2025 Aquatics International Dream Designs, 2024 Athletic Business Aquatic Design Portfolio, and the 2025 Athletic Business Architectural Showcase.

Learn more here.

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One River North Apartments Rooftop Pool & Spa

Denver, CA

Alongside the team at Davis Partnership Architects, Aquatic Design Group provided design, engineering, and construction observation services for a rooftop swimming pool, hydrotherapy spa, and balcony water feature that are part of a new mixed-use residential development project in Denver, CO. The unique, curved design was inspired by the natural landscape of the surrounding area. The project consists of 250,000 SF of residential, retail, and office spaces. Several sustainable features were integrated into the project, including: 30% reduction in energy consumption; 40% water savings through efficient fixtures; 75% of construction materials sourced locally; and electric vehicle charging stations and bike storage. LEED Gold Certification and WELL Building Standard were accomplished due to the sustainable features integrated into the project.

This project has also been selected for numerous other industry awards, including but not limited to:

• OPAL Awards: Named Property Development of the Year in 2024 for its excellence in design and development. 

• Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards: Recognized as a finalist in the Architectural Design and Design/Make categories for 2025, celebrating its innovative design and construction. 

• Dezeen Awards: Named among the top ten architecture projects in the United States for 2024. 

• Engineering News-Record (ENR): Earned an Award of Merit 2024 for Residential/Hospitality projects. 

View the digital edition here.