New aquatic centers focus on today’s trends and tomorrow’s needs
There was a time when a community pool was a simple gathering spot where children could splash around, and more serious competitors could swim laps. Light on amenities, many of these pools were designed to be an available body of water for residents and not much more.
But, as tastes change and municipalities search for ways to keep community members engaged, new aquatic facilities have evolved to include features that rival those at amusement parks. This is partly motivated by trends; however, these facilities are expanding not only to satisfy residents’ requests today but also to anticipate their needs in the decades to come.
The Power Of A Plan
The city of Durham, N.C., faces a challenge that’s likely familiar to other municipalities––aging facilities.
The aquatic department oversees three outdoor pools, two indoor pools, and four spray grounds. One of the outdoor pools, Forest Hills Pool, is nearly 100 years old, and another, Long Meadow Pool, is 60 years old. Durham Parks & Recreation Assistant Director Jason Jones says outdoor pools typically have a lifespan of 35-45 years; both pools have far surpassed that.
Long Meadow, specifically, was originally built in 1963, and another swimming pool was built inside of it in the 1980s to fix a leak. The nesting doll of pools has created structural challenges, but because Long Meadow is located close to a floodplain, zoning restrictions have complicated repairs.
