Planning Rationale
The Aquatic Center supports physical education and athletic activities/competitions at the high school level. The Aquatic Center shall meet the guidelines of the National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS), Illinois High School Association (IHSA), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Design Considerations
Location
The Aquatic Center shall be located near the Gymnatorium/Gymnasium. Locker Rooms, Pool Storage Room, Staff Office/Locker Room/Toilet, and Pool Equipment Room shall be in close proximity to the Aquatic Center. For security and privacy reasons, students shall not be directly viewed from the exterior or other interior spaces.
Pool
- Pool/Dimensions/Depth:
- Size: 25 yard, six (6) lane competition pool
- Height: The overhead clearance to the nearest obstruction shall be a minimum 16’-5” above the highest springboard.
- Pool Equipment:
- Starting Blocks -The water depth shall not be less than 4’-0” at the starting block end of the pool and should not be less than 3’-6” at the opposite end. The minimum depth of water for teaching racing starts shall be 5’-0”.
- 1 Meter Diving Boards – The minimum depth for a 1-meter springboard shall be 12’-0” at the end of the board, to the sides of the board and for a distance of 22’-0” ahead of the end of the board. The minimum distance from the end of the board to the forward pool wall shall be 34’-0”.The distance from the center of the board to an adjacent 1 meter board or the side wall shall be 10’-0”.
- Diving Stands: Provide two (2) one-meter high diving stands with 16’-0” aluminum diving boards and four (4) pairs of stainless steel grab rails with stainless steel steps recessed in wall.
- Equipment: Provide safety and cleaning equipment as required by code.
- Speakers: Provide four (4) underwater speakers.
- Accessibility:
- The pool shall be ADA accessible via an integral ramp.
- A pool lift is required when the perimeter of the pool is 300’-0”, excluding the zero depth area.
- Pool Finishes:
- Concrete: Poured in place concrete OR
- Shotcrete: Pneumatically Applied Concrete (Shotcrete) with a polymermodified cement with quartz aggregate plaster finish OR
- Ceramic Tile: 1” x 1” ceramic tile finish
- Lap Lane Markings and Wall Targets: Markings and targets shall be black or dark blue ceramic tile.
- Depth Markers: The markers shall be 4” high on 6” x 6” ceramic tile with an additional “No Diving” symbol ceramic tile at each depth marking location. Tile shall be inlaid flush with the deck surface.
- Ramp Entry:
- Slope: Shall slope no more than 1 foot in 12 (1:12).
- Surface: Slip resistant
- Width: The width shall be no more than 4’ -0” wide and have handrails on both sides. The clear width between the handrails of ramp shall be minimum 36 inches.
- Ramps: The ramps shall meet ADA guidelines.
- Mobility Access: Aquatic facilities shall meet special education requirements.
- Equipment:
Provide the following:- Removable starting platforms
- Backstroke and recall stanchions
- Backstroke flags
- Recall rope
- Racing lane marking lines with six inch diameter floats and storage reel
- One (1) pair of water polo goals with black nylon nets and solid backing
- Windows:
Provide natural light located to prevent glare on the pool surface. Avoid clear glazing and provide diffuse light. - Structure
- Minimize surface area
- Avoid shelves
- Simple geometry
- Pre-finished materials preferred
- All regularly maintained items shall be installed over the deck, NOT over the water
- Acoustics: Indoor pools shall receive acoustical treatment. Coordinate with an acoustical consultant.
- Spectator Seating: Provide an area for 100-150 spectators overlooking the pool with sight lines to the entire competition area. This area may be accessed from the second floor corridor or stair between floors. See Spectator Deck below for more information.
- Millwork: 70 LF of aluminum, composite wood, or solid teak bench seating shall be located along pool deck on one side of the room.
MEP Considerations
- Lighting:
- Artificial lighting shall be provided at all indoor pools in accordance with one of the following:
- Underwater lighting of at least 8.35 lumens or 0.5 watts per square foot of pool water surface area, located to provide illumination of the entire pool floor; plus, area lighting of at least 10 lumens or 0.6 watts per square foot of deck area.
- If underwater lights are not provided, at least 33.5 lumens or 2.0 watts per square foot of pool water surface area and deck area.
- Provide IES recommended light levels at all deck surfaces, of 10 footcandles average
- Provide IES recommended light levels at water surface, of 30 footcandles average
- Provide IES recommended light levels at all starting blocks and turning lines, of 50 footcandles average, where used for competitions
- Light dimmers shall not be installed on underwater lighting. Dimming controls for pool deck and surrounding areas are only allowed for automatic, continuous daylight harvesting where required by the IECC.
- Lighting controls shall not be accessible to the public.
- Underwater lighting shall be wet-niche style fixtures, rated for submersion, and installed perpendicular to the lap lanes.
- General space lighting shall have Aquatic Center grade finishes, and shall be installed over the decks, NOT over the water.
- Artificial lighting shall be provided at all indoor pools in accordance with one of the following:
- Electrical:
- All circuits within the pool space shall be ground fault protected.
- Grounding and bonding shall be provided per Chicago Electrical Code (CEC) requirements.
- Humidity Control: The space shall be designed for an adequate interior separation from other spaces/ structures to prevent corrosion and to control humidity. This includes walls and structural elements.
- Ductwork: Avoid specifying stainless steel for ductwork. Use non-corrosive duct material.
Support Spaces
The unique function of the aquatic center requires thoughtful adjacencies of specialized functions and support spaces.
- Pool Storage Room: Located directly adjacent to pool area with double door access. Provide separate areas or cages within the Storage Room for an after hours facilitator. (Chicago Park District).
- Pool Equipment Room: Shall be located with access to the exterior for delivery of chemicals.
- Pool Mechanical Room: Shall be located adjacent to Pool Equipment and Pool Storage Rooms. Provide required ventilation at Pool Mechanical Room.
Spectator Deck
The Spectator Deck shall provide a seated viewing area for students and the public to watch competition events.
- Seating: Area is to accommodate approximately 100-150 spectators.
- Access: This second floor function shall be planned with after hours school security in mind. Close proximity to the main corridor shall be achieved, with direct access optimal.
- Location: Optimally, the seating area will be parallel to the longer edge of the pool.
- Views: Sight lines for all spectators is enhanced through a stepped floor plan. Visibility to the competition area calls for a glazed guardrail with minimally intrusive handrail design. Avoid site lines that block views to starter blocks and touch pads.
- Acoustics: Coordinate acoustical treatment of this space with acoustic consultant.
- ADA seating: shall be provided.
- Guard Rail: Shall be provided; stainless steel hand rail with glass infill.
- Benches: Provide integral benches comprised of concrete with aluminum, composite wood, or solid teak wood seats.