Champaign's Bubble Top and

A tradition of success guides the Champaign Park District swimming pool operation. The past year saw the tenth season of summer operation of the 50-meter Centennial Pool and the addition of the new year-round Spalding Pool complex. Comfortable winter swimming is possible at Spalding through use of the inflatable bubble which covers the pool during winter months. Removal of the air structure in summer provides an outdoor facility.

The Park District pools are operated under strict Board of Health standards, thus assuring a clean and safe pool and bath-house area. Parents allow their children to come to the pool alone for they are assured of their safety while in the pool area.

Much of the success of the swimming program enjoyed by the Park District over the years has been due to excellent management. A local high school teacher/coach has managed Centennial Pool for the past eight years which has given stability to the year to year operation.

The Park District maintains a high standard with regard to pool personnel. All lifeguards must have current Water Safety Instructor rating, and all basketroom personnel have Senior Lifesaving badges.

An adequate number of staff

Outside view of the bubble top covering the Spalding Pool complex.

personnel assures that all stations are covered. In addition to life guards in chairs, a roving deck guard is always present, which allows the chair guard to watch only the water. A life guard is always on duty in the wading pool area. Likewise, staff members are stationed in the shower rooms and the concession area.

The fact that a staff member is present in all areas of the pool and bath house area reduces the likelihood of horseplay, promotes safety and provides for a cleaner facility.

Contact with personnel is maintained during the off-season through a newsletter. The Park District enjoys a high rate of employee return from season to season, thus eliminating the need to train a completely new staff each year.

In addition to recreational swimming, adult and teen splash nights, and a competitive swim team, a complete learn to swim program is offered for children and adults. This past summer over 1250 persons participated in the learn to swim program at Centennial Pool. The pool swim team has won the East Central Illinois Swim League Championship for the past four seasons.

Unlike many public swimming facilities, Centennial Pool operates on a sound financial basis. This is due in great part to the manner in which the pool has been managed.

Illinois Parks and Recreation    10    May/June, 1971

A feasibility study showed the need for a year-round swimming facility in the city of Champaign. The question then became what type of pool could be built which would provide for maximum use both during the summer and winter seasons. Many ideas were considered, but the final choice for the new Spalding Pool was the air structure concept. Construction was completed and the pool opened in October, 1970. The removable bubble, which measures 179' long by 101' wide and is 40' at the apex, provides a completely indoor facility in the winter and an open pool for summer use. The main pool is 100' x 75' with an attached 40' x 45' diving well. A 63' x 40' wading pool is not enclosed within the air structure and is available for summer use only. Almost the entire pool swimming area is 3 feet deep, which provides maximum teaching possibilities. The diving well has a maximum depth of 12 feet under the three diving boards.

The permanent building houses locker rooms, basketroom, a lifeguard room, first-aid room, an office, and a mechanical room. A walkway separates the locker room facilities from the meeting room, park shelter and concession area of the building. The 36' x 32' meeting room, constructed with funds provided by the Champaign County Housing Authority, contains a stove, sink and refrigerator and is available for public use. A Park District Senior Citizens group conducts a weekly program in the meeting room. The room is also used as a classroom for first-aid, lifesaving and water safety courses. Rest rooms serve not only the meeting room, but the outside park area as well.

The Champaign Park District and Unit 4 School District have an agreement for no-charge mutual use of facilities. The Park District uses the school gymnasiums for recreation programs and the schools use Park

Inside view of the bubble top covering the pool and converting it to a year-round facility.

District pools and athletic fields. The public schools utilize Spalding Pool approximately 30 hours a week for physical education swimming classes. In addition, one of the senior high schools uses the pool for swim team practice and meets. Parkland College also uses the pool for physical education classes.

The pool is large enough to permit school and Park District use simultaneously. It is not uncommon to have a high school physical education class, a Parkland College physical education class, and a Park District program being conducted at the same time. The mom-tot swim on Tuesday and Friday mornings is well attended and the children range in age from nine months to three years. An instructor is available if the mother would like help with her child. A full program of swimming and diving instruction is available for children and adults. The Red Cross levels of swimming are followed and courses are taught from the Beginner stage through Water Safety Instructor. At present, over 250 persons are enrolled in swimming instruction at various levels. The pool is open six afternoons and evenings per week for public recreational swimming. Children's birthday parties are a unique and very popular service offered as a part of the pool program. The meeting room is used for planned activities, cake and punch, and then the children are given a swim. The cost is nominal and the parents seem as enthusiastic as the children about this service.

A recognized authority in the area of swimming for the handicapped conducted a workshop to qualify persons as Instructors of Swimming for the Handicapped. From this has evolved an active swimming program for handicapped children and adults of the community. Included in this program are weekly instructional classes for the mentally retarded, the blind and the orthopedically handicapped. Deaf children participate in the regular swimming program. The response to this aspect of the pool program is gratifying. In addition to pool staff members, a great number

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BUBBLE TOP

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of volunteer instructors participate regularly which permits a favorable ratio of student to instructor. All programs will be continued on a year-round basis.

Attendance at Spalding Pool has steadily increased over the winter months. A period of time was necessary to acclimate the Park District residents to the idea of comfortable winter swimming. Organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church youth groups and competitive swim teams use the pool regularly for recreational swimming and instructional programs. Total attendance at the pool since its opening is in excess of 35,000 persons.

After one winter of operation the Park District is pleased with the bubble concept for swimming facilities. The initial cost is much less than a permanent structure the same size, and the bubble has proved functional under all types of weather conditions. The utility of a completely indoor and fully outdoor facility provides for maximum use and enjoyability.

Spalding Pool is an asset to the Park District facilities. The Board of Park Commissioners is to be commended for its foresight in seeing the need for this facility and its willingness to pursue a somewhat unique course in striving to better serve the residents of the Champaign Park District.

Robert D. Gillikin is Coordinator of Aquatics for the Champaign Park District.

Illinois Parks and Recreation    30    May/June, 1971