Southwest I.S.D. Aquatic Center

Designed as a competitive swimming and diving facility capable of hosting regional meets and tournaments, as well as a learning and training facility to cultivate a pipeline of competitive swimmers and divers, the combination of two pools facilitates both programs. 

The project met the challenge of lowering the cost of construction and reducing operating energy costs by incorporating natural ventilation and daylighting. For lighting, a translucent panel roof and abundant glass walls, including operable overhead doors, allow light transmittance while the roof overhang reduces heat gain. The building orientation and roof geometry are designed to aerodynamically support natural airflow through the operable walls.

The 50-meter pool’s two movable bulkheads and varied water depths allow simultaneous events in swimming, diving, water polo or synchronized swimming. Carefully positioned storage rooms around the pool deck facilitate the quick storage and retrieval of equipment for reconfiguration from event to event. The instructional pool includes four shallow-water lap lanes and an accessible ramp to facilitate youth swim programs and community water aerobics, and also serves as the warmup pool for swim meets. Positioning the instructional pool near the air-conditioned lobby allows parents to view swim lessons.

Additional project features include community rooms, meet rooms, concessions, a camera deck, a multipurpose wet classroom, public and athlete locker rooms, a weight room, coaches offices, lifeguard and first aid rooms, and athletic department offices. Enhanced video displays, strategically sized and located for multiposition viewing, support event scoring, video playback, event promotion and sponsorship.

ARCHITECT OF RECORD

Marmon Mok Architecture

San Antonio, Texas

AQUATIC CONSULTANT

Counsilman-Hunsaker

St. Louis, Mo.

PROJECT VENDORS