Along with an architect firm, Plain City officials are in the early stages of a study to determine potential improvements for the village’s aquatic center. Officials believe the pool was originally designed to look like a fish from above, which can limit the recreational swimming space aside from the lap lanes.
(Photo submitted)
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Plain City officials are exploring ideas to improve the aquatic center while maintaining the character of the pool many residents know and love.
Parks and Recreation Director Linda Granger said now is the time to start planning for the future of the aquatic center and understanding what the “big ticket” items will be in the future.
“We’re no longer a toddler as far as pool age, we’re definitely getting to middle age, maybe even senior,” Granger said, adding that the pool is entering its 13th year of operation.
The village contracted with MSA Design, an architect firm in Columbus, to complete a study of the aquatic center that will include an assessment of its current state, a list of deficiencies and potential designs Plain City can initiate in the future.
The firm hosted an open house Thursday to elicit feedback from community members, which will be incorporated into design options.
Keith Hall, with MSA Design, was met with laughter from the crowd when he described the existing pool as “really quite interesting.”
He noted that it appears the designers of the original pool intended for it to look like the shape of a fish when viewed overhead.
While he said that isn’t necessarily good or bad, Hall said it can limit the amount of usable recreational space in the shallower area of the pool.
The pool has a 25-meter competition pool with six lanes, a diving area and zero-entry area, meaning it gradually deepens from no water. There are also amenities like a splash pad, slide and water features.
Hall said the facility is “very, very well maintained” but, due to the age of the pool, there are some cracks and drainage issues. He said the primary problem is the pool mechanics like pumps reaching the end of their life span.
Granger noted that the filter media of the pool was replaced last year for approximately $35,000, as money is invested in repairs and upkeep each year.
Katie Freeland, also with MSA Design, said when considering how to improve the Plain City aquatic center, it can help to look toward amenities and trends in other facilities.
Freeland said zero entry pools are very popular, along with “play for all ages,” ranging from splash pads to water features to slides – all of which Plain City currently has.
“You have a lot of the things we see in modern pool design but you just have them in a very, very small space,” she said.
One of the major trends she pointed out is separating lap lanes from recreational, open water.
In some cases, the lap lanes are a completely separate “pool” or body of water, while other times they may have a connector between.
In designing the layout, Freeland said it is important to consider whether lap lanes will be used for competition, recreation or swim classes when designing that area of the pool.
Hall and Freeland shared several examples of pool designs MSA Design completed, including those at Grandview Heights, Athens and Dublin.
Hall highlighted Grandview Heights’ pool as an example of how the character of an aquatic center can be maintained, even through an update.
He said the community had “a lot of emotional attachment to their pool,” which was originally built in the 1930s. MSA Design’s recommendation allowed the community to save the tiles from the original rotunda and reinstall a similar feature at the new aquatic center.
Freeland also talked about the success of creating spaces that can be used in multiple ways, as was done in Athens.
That community’s pool has a fenced-in splash pad with a “multi-purpose room” adjacent, so the whole area can be rented out for birthday parties and other events even about a month before and after the pool season.
Community members in attendance overwhelmingly shared positive reviews of the Plain City Aquatic Center with one qualm: it is too small.
Hall agreed that the zero entry portion of the existing pool is “really super tight” and he would ideally like it to be about twice the size.
Those involved with the Plain City Sharks swim team said they feel an eight-lane lap pool would better suit the village, as the swim team is already incredibly popular and continues to grow.
Additionally, parents noted that the slide obscures the view of the laps so spectators have trouble seeing the swimmer they’re looking for.
Based on that feedback, Hall said he anticipates presenting a design that would fill part of the existing pool so there isn’t as sharp of a drop-off in the lap lane area and turning that entire body of water, including the slide area, into a recreational pool.
Then, an eight-lane competition pool and diving well could be added to the aquatic center.
Hall said that could allow for swim meets to happen at the same time as casual swimming. Additionally, it could make it easier to have designated spaces for swim classes or activities like water aerobics.
While community members liked that idea, they encouraged the consultants to ensure that the pool doesn’t get so big that it loses its community feel.
One grandparent noted that she wants there to be visibility from each area so guardians of different-aged children can keep an eye on all of them.
Granger emphasized that the aquatic center has “very few saves each season,” most of which are assisting someone who is struggling as opposed to a “complete save.” While she said she is very proud of the staff, she also feels that is in large part because parents in the community are so involved.
No matter the end result, Hall said the goal of MSA Design is to help create an aquatic center that fits the community’s needs and desires.
The group will incorporate feedback and present multiple options, but he said the path forward could also be a decision to take no action and leave the aquatic center as is.