"Old-time swimming holes" are back in demand for summer
entertainment at local park and recreation agencies
BY JENNIFER STIMAC
"Children can
bike or walk to
the pool more
easily in their
own neighborhood. That
probably
means more
weekly visits
than if the pool
was across
town."
— Roger Key, director
of recreation and
facilities at the
Arlington Heights Park
District
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Recreation is increasingly important in our busy and
complicated world of computers and cell phones. In
play, many are choosing activities that stem from a
simpler way of life, when summers were spent with
family and familiar faces from the neighborhood at the
local "swimming hole." This is
evident in a recent trend toward neighborhood pools.
"There is a shift from theme
waterparks," says Brian Wright,
project coordinator at PHN
Architects of Wheaton, Ill.
"Agencies are designing their
swimming pools to cater to
local residents."
For the purpose of this
article, a "neighborhood pool"
is defined as a pool designed to
serve residents of a specific
community or subdivision.
Neighborhood pools are
generally smaller than a
waterpark (which tends to
attract users from a large
region). The local pools are quieter, with fewer bells and
whistles.
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The traditional neighborhood pool built in the '60s
and '70s usually was made up of a rectangular lap and
diving pool, wading pool, concrete deck, small concession stand and a bathhouse. As these facilities age, many
agencies are wondering what they can do to salvage their
pools. The answer varies for each agency, depending on
budget, condition of crucial framework (shell, piping,
and circulation), and most importantly, what the
residents want.
When considering what to do with its 40-year-old
Meadows Park pool, the Mount Prospect Park District
formed a pool committee,
made up of residents, and
conducted a survey.
"The survey revealed that
the community did not want
an aquatic park," says Walt
Cook, director at the Mount
Prospect Park District. "People
wanted a more traditional type
of pool, like an 'old-time
swimming hole.'"
The park district tore down
the old Meadows Park pool
because the structure was
irreparable. Construction will
begin on the new facility in
2001.
When the Arlington Heights
Park District's Pioneer Park
pool reached its 50th birthday, the park district decided
to start fresh.
"Residents were visiting pools in other towns because
Pioneer Park lacked newer amenities, such as zero depth
and water play features," says Brian Huckstadt, director
of parks and planning at the park district.
PHN worked with the park district to design an
enhanced neighborhood park pool that would not seem
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Photograph by Maria Cumpota
for the city of
Elgin Parks and
Recreation Department.
|
January/February 2001 / 29
SPECIAL FOCUS
Arlington Heights Park
District's Pioneer Park
pool is the first of five
"neighborhood pools"
to be reconstructed with
some new Features
(zero depth, splash features),
yet retain its local feel.
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like a waterpark. Three new pools were constructed: a
zero depth with water play features, wading pool, and
diving pool with drop slide. A modern bathhouse and
concession stand were also built.
One of five neighborhood pools in Arlington Heights,
the new and improved Pioneer Park pool attracted 28
percent to 50 percent of pool users in the community in
2000, proving itself to be a huge success.
Whenever possible, Doug Hoizrichter, partner of
PHN Architects, recommends constructing a new
facility, rather than refurbishing. The average life
expectancy of a pool is 20 to 30 years, depending on
maintenance.
Says Hoizrichter: "Beyond that, making repairs is like
using band-aids."
Refurbishing an existing pool would increase life
expectancy 10 to 15 years, but the cost to construct a
new facility would only be about 70 percent more. This
is less than twice the cost (of refurbishment), yet the life
span is increased by twice as much.
Hoizrichter says the decision to refurbish an existing
pool is usually driven by budget constraints. "In these
cases, it is crucial that the shell, piping, and circulation
are in good shape," says Hoizrichter.
If the pool interior is cracking, but the structure is in
good shape, a pool liner can be permanently installed.
Pool liners are made of poly vinyl chloride (reinforced
vinyl) and last more than ten years.
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If you are going to renovate, consider the following
amenities so that residents will be able to enjoy some of
the same amenities of a waterpark, without losing the
neighborhood feel:
• Landscaping and sun turf to make the facility more
"comfortable;"
• A zero-depth edge to give users better
accessibility and a variety of water
depths;
• A drop slide next to a diving board,
potentially in a separate diving well; and
• Water spray features.
Your facility may be out of code.
Check with Illinois Swimming Pool and
Beach Bathing Code, which was
updated in May of 1999. It is also
important to note the Americans with
Disabilities Act, which took effect in
1991.
"Facilities should be brought up to
current code standards to ensure they
will safely serve residents now and in
the future," says Hoizrichter, adding
that a zero-depth pool is the best solution to making a
pool more handicapped accessible.
"This allows people to enter in shallow water, similar
to a beach."
In addition to the pool itself, adjustments will most
likely be needed at the admission and concession
counters and in the bathhouse.
Neighborhood pools have an "ease of visits" advantage
over waterparks, says Roger Key, director of recreation
and facilities at the Arlington Heights Park District.
"Children can bike or walk (to the pool) more easily
in their own neighborhood," he says. "That probably
means more weekly visits than if the pool was across
town."
And parents feel more comfortable sending their
children to a smaller facility with more familiar faces.
"Parents like knowing their children are not among
strangers," adds Key.
Camelot, Heritage, and Frontier pools in Arlington
Heights are reaching the tail end of their life expectancies. Because of the success of Pioneer Park, the park
district has decided to bring these pools up-to-date while
30 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
BACK TO THE BASICS
maintaining a local resident pool feel. A referendum
was recently passed that will allow for new pools,
which will each likely feature a six-lane lap pool with
connected zero depth and separate diving well.
"The focus is to swim," says Wright.
On a side note, Wright recommends a construction
management approach to a project such as Arlington
Heights: "Because each project is similar, by managing all three at once under one umbrella there is a
level of service provided to the client that can not be
reached by assigning separate general contractors."
Palos Heights is another community that is opting
for a neighborhood pool. The park district's pool is 30
years old and in need of repair. Surveys went out and
residents said they wanted more shallow water (30
inches to 5 feet). The park district is currently
evaluating their options.
When it is time for new equipment and a new look
at your pool, consider carefully what residents want
before forging ahead. Form committees and conduct
surveys. Maybe patrons in your community want a
large waterpark with more amenities to choose from.
Though the trend may be towards neighborhood
pools, it is most important to give your residents what
they want. •
JENNIFER STIMAC
is free-lance writer for PHN Architects, architects and planners specializing in
recreation facilities.
January/February 2001 / 31