HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Pool Study Report dated March 29, 1977 --h 20 , 1077
POOL STUDY REPORT
CITIZENS C01"d1l""ITTEE
Peg Barnett
John L:ahlstede
Bert 1+Iahlstede
Gene Robinson
rIlvarita DlacBride
i:dartha Griffiths
James Griffiths
Mary Ann Nass
Carol Johnson
Leroy Johnson
It is rc -. eshing to be a part of a "grass roots"
organization %:,ich developed because of a dire need to inform
and re-direct a course of action centering -on swimming pool
facilities as a basis for the long term needs of the aquatics
program in Ames .
In the fall of 1976 , a committee report recommended build-
ing two small "walk to" pools in Ames . One pool would be
provided -by refurbishing 51 year old Carr' s pool and the second-
by building a 25 meter Z shaped pool in West Ames . Possibly
8 to 10 years from now a 50 meter pool complex could be built.
This recommendation caused a " grass roots" reaction from
those individuals who have had contact, however remotely,
with swimming programs in Iowa. The study committee* , appoint-
ed to assist the Parks and Recreation Board , in its report
reversed the logical steps recommended in developing pools
in a city the size of Ames . It recommended the further development
of satellite -000ls before the development of one basic all-
encompassing pool complex. Such a plan would automatically
restrict pool use for a large group of specialized swimming needs .
We reco-nized the shortcomings of the Steven' s plan and
set out to substantiate what we believe are the facts, about
pool and facility construction,through research.
irst we went directly to the people of Ames , using a
petition that specified a large multipurpose pool complex.
The response was overwhelming. Examination of signatures
reveals solid support from the business community and university
professors , along with people throughout the city in every
u
walk of life . From the. reaction to this petition, we firmlj
Y
# chaired by John D . Stevens
belie .re l.at =- i- -ue for a large pool complex will pass
in Fmes .
`secondly , we researched what other cities in. Iowa and
surrounding areas have done , or are doing. We discovered that
without exception, towns are building long course pool complexes .
The sophistication of these facilities vary with population
size .
De Kalb, M . (pop. 32 ,949) built a large pool complex
two years ago . -They faced a situation similar to ours only
less critical , and phased out an old pool after the new one
was built. The De Kalb complex would be a *good facility for
the Parks and =sec . 3oard to visit. They are adding a junior pool
( 2' - 3' depth) this year. This corrects an obvious mistake
in their planning. .
Bettendorf , Ia. (pop. 25,000) was without a pool . They
started planning in 1962 with a survey done by McFadzean and
F.verly , Limited , Park .and Recreation Planning, Winnetka, Ill .
Included in their recommendation to us was a statement , "A
community the size and composition of Bettendorf needs a. pool
with design dimensions to accommodate good competitive swim-
ming events . This requirement should be met in the first pool .
If future population growth and distribution so indicate , a
subsequent pool could be smaller and designed primarily for
a neighborhood or "walk to" facility." They further stated
that , "The Z shape is not practical for pools of. less than
10 ,000 square foot of water surface Because of the cost
in acquiring parkland, Bettendorf delayed the actual pool
construction until after the park site was developed . Their
pool complex. is now four years old.
3
Cedar -' a--, Is , = ( pop. 33 , 000) pool needs should be com-
parable to Ames . _iiey have one large outdoor complex. This
complex enjoys excessive use in the summer. Ward Stubbs ,
Parks and Rec . Director indicated their operational costs
match their receipts , because they have no other outdoor pools .
They are now building two new indoor 25 yard ( short course)
pools at their junior high schools , to complete their year-
round swim prc�ram.
Examination of our survey sheets reveal that all
communities with a population equivalent to or larger than
Am"s have reco:`nized the need for building the standard long
course 50 meter facility when they build a new pool . You will
note from the survey , that large pools can be operated as
economically as small cools , depending on the sophistication
of the programs -,ffered .
The best .-•esource book we 've been able to find on the
entire tonic o - aquatics is called , Swimming Pools , A Guide
to Their Planrin , Design and Operationl , a project of the
Council for National Cooperation in Aquatics . This book should
be required reading for every member of the Parks and Recreation
Board . The bcol: includes chapters in: Steps involved in planning
a swimming pool , - designing the pool , pool structures , bathhouse
and auxil_ary services , pool design characteristics for com-
petitive swimTJ'ing, pool facilities for disabled persons , guide -
lines to safety , and a worksheet and check list for use in
planning a new pool .
To form a basis for estimating the cost alternatives of
a pool complex for any type , we would like to define what -we
believe are basic considerations . To keep referring to this
project -as a 50 meter pool is a misnomer. We'.are suggesting
that this project be referred to as a large pool complex,
consisting of four basic pools of varing dimension.
"Long course" means a finished length of not less than
50 meters. The lor]g course pool is standard for outdoor A .A .U .
summer. competition. .This pool should have eight lanes , each
lane being 8' 12" wide ( to meet long course regulations) ,
with about 3' to spare on each side of the outer lanes . This
results in the common 75 feet or 25 yard width in long course
construction. ,Ihen the long course pool is separate from the
other pools , it should begin at a 4 foot depth , but need not
be deeper than 5 feet to provide over 80% shallow water depth
for recreational swimming and safe guarding in a pool complex.
cutters and the overflow system should be designed to provide
"quiet" water conditions for competitive events ,. and also to
handle overflow at capacity recreation times . Special attention
must be taken to ensure exact specifications for long course
requirements in all details for competitive- swimming as out-
lined in the National Aquatics guide book.
The second pool should be a junior pool with a depth
ranging from 12 ' to 3' maximum and of sufficient size (45' x45' )
to accommodate the young swimmer for instruction and recreation.
This could be attached to form an L shape with the long course
pool . However, (p. 63) 1 " the large water surfaces created
introduce traffic control problems that offset the apparent
savings of the common wall . Pool programs are better served
by separating the areas ."
5
The third :pool carisideration is the diving well . Both
Glen Henry, Swimming Coach for U .N .I . , and- Jack ;YicGuire have
advised in letters received by T+Iarilyn Hawthorne and Bart
Johnston that this should be d'esigned . to, accommodate platform
diving. The minimum water depth for 10 meter platform diving
is 17 feet. Specific minimum standard measurements are dis-
cribed in the Aquatics bookl to ensure safe depth for divers
that may jump or dive too far out or sideways from the platforms .
The tank depth should not be compromised. The tank should be
built to accommodate the tower with 5 , 7. 5 and 10 meter platforms .
In addition, two one meter boards and two three meter boards
_ should be a part of this pool , with footings placed for a tower
structure . .Any cost estimate should list the tower separately.
Tower structures can be built from donations later, but without
the basic well , this can not occur. The diving well will also be _ .
used for scuba classes and if built large enough can fulfill
the requirement of over 6' water depth for synchronized swimming.
By building a separate well for diving., you ensure safer guarding
• co:.ditions . .
And fourth , but not least in the, pool complex is the wading
pool for the tiny non-swimmer. . This pool should be separated
from the other pools aid surrounded by a low fence to ensure
the safety of thy: toddler. It should have ample sun deck for
the pleasure and enjoyment of the accompanying parent. The
pool depth can vary from 6" to 1 foot.
Other considerations must include the bath house , sun
deck space and the . separate fenced off concessions area.
Recommendations and standards for these areas are outlined
in the National Aquatics guide bookl and also the Bettendorf .
and report of 1 62 ly p 9 j . Consideration must be given to ramps
for the handicapped , lighting both under water and above water, etc .
In fact , the check list in Appendix B of the Aquatics bookl should
be understood and scrupulously followed.
We feel that the above outlined pool complex would best
serve the multi-purpose swimming needs of Ames . From this
outline , plus the development , of a detailed work sheet , as
illustrated in Appendix A of the Aquatics guide book, should
i
result in an accurate cost estimate guide for an Ames pool
project. .
For many years , when Ames had a much smaller population,
it enjoyed in the 9 ,300 square feet of water surface contained
in Carr' s pool , almost the same amount of square footage of
water surface Ye are talking about in a large multi pool complex.
Our purpose then, is to replace that large amount of water
surface , .to increase it to reflect the present day population
needs , and to -. aximize the increased water footage in the
development of a new pool facility incorporating current technology.
It is obvious from examining a 50 meter pool blue print
accompanying t1he Paddock Fool preliminary survey of March 11 , 1977 ,
that our needs in Ames are more sophisticated than the plan
they enclosed which had .a price tag of $550 ,O00 to $600 , 000 .
Therefore , it is most urgent that we first accurately define
in detail. the type of large pool complex we believe would best
fit the need of the community. This plan would then be used to
establish an exact price estimate .
Only after the pool price is known can we consider location
or other pool alternatives . National Aquatics Guidel states that
31 to 4 acres minimum is needed for a large pool complex.
7
However, 12 acres is much TM:ore desirable setting. The cheapest
and best possible location is in a park area already established.
The pool needs to be located 200 to 300 feet away from traveled
roads , to help avoid excess road and exhaust dirt in the filters
and pool system. It needs to be on high ground to afford good
drainage but not on a hilltop that might have excessive wind
exposure . It needs to be away from open cultivated fields
with blowing dirt and pollen. A readily available water supply,
sanitary sewers , and electricity will significantly cut the '
inital cost of the project. Accessibility is a prime .consideration.
Landscaped surroundings with adjacent recreation facilities
are considered to be a very important attribute .
If the city of Ames must purchase 12 acres of land for a
proper setting for the pool complex, this will add $200 , 000 to
$300 , 000 to the project . With this added cost , the total bond issue
for a single pool project may run as high as 1 million dollars .
In addressing the problem involved in .considering any
pool structure , present or future at the Carr' s site , we would
urge you to review the facts . On page 18 of the Steven' s
pool report , Impact Service Division, Pioneer Hi-Bred Int. , Inc . ,
states , "Impact Services recommends the construction o-f a new
facility on a more satisfactory site as the only permanent.
solution." On page 3 of the Paddock Pool preliminary survey,
March 11 , 1977 ; states ," Whether it be 'the rehabilitation of
the old Carr Pool , which we would strongly recomment against,
or the construction of a new facility in the old pool location,
the general pool location has. been established. We must point
out, however, that constructing a new facility on the old pool
site will require much more than just breaking up the old pool
- 8
into pieces. It ,i l require picki::� -.4p all these pieces ,
putting them on a dump truck and carrying them to some point of
disposal., and after all the pieces are nicked up the hole .will
have to be filled and thoroughly compacted prior to re-excavating
for the new pool structure . It might prove to be more economical
to break the old bool up and the bathhouse and push it all into
the old pool siT,e , cover it up with some dirt and consider it
as a site for some future tennis courts and relocate the pool
iTi another location---- . "
From these statements , plus the fact that the Carr' s
pool is located at the bottom of a hill in a low lying area,
and not really accessable , located adjacent to a city street ,
and confined on the other side by an eroding river bank, we
would like to recommend the following for your consideration.
RECONUvIENDATIONS :
Ale recomn-.end a long range two phase program for the swimming
needs of Ames .
Phase I :
1 . single -bond issue for a large pool complex
as described in the first section of this report. _
included in this bond issue the location of the
wool complex and allowance for the purchase of
1 and for a West Ames location, or the location
established at finis Grove . .
2 . upgrading the municipal pool with an adequate
filter system. Money was in short supply when
the municipal pool was finally built, and a very
Door filtering system was installed. This system
f It is
needs to be replaced with adequate filters .
i
a pressing need to stop the burning eyes and itching
skin which swimmers at the' ;nunicipal pool endure..
A bond issue should include this item.
3 . Construction over the present Carr' s pool site
or in an adjacent area, ' a Carr Memorial Tennis _ .
Court complex. (This type of facility here
would simplify surveillance and minimize vandalism. )
Phase 2 : Plan future satellite pools as the community
develops . . If the large pool complex is located in -
.west Ames , plan for the construction` of a satellite
pool at Inis Grove Park. Purchase the 13 acres
at the old country club site to ensure park land
availability when the multi-housing in that area
cevelops . Plan and acquire land enough for satellite
pools as land developers open new housing areas.
CONCLUSION:
The Swimming Pool Guide from the Council for National
Cooperation in aquatics states that satellite "walk to" pools
are needed as a community develops over 50 , 000 population.
This conclusion is of course based on the assumption that . a
large outdoor pool complex already exists in the community.
We feel that a- bond issue to succeed must be contained
within reasonTLble limits . However, we are not willing to
compromise on the basic structure of a single large pool complex
for Ames . Ecomony will not come about by attaching a prerequisite
expenditure of "P'250 ,_000 to $275, 000 to renovate or provide
s
a new pool at the Carr' s site. This conclusion is supported
10
in + .e esti vate of the rJarch 11 , 1977 Paddock Poo-
prelimi.nary report. With such a large additional item at this
time , plus the possible $200 ,000 to $300 ,000 needed to purchase
land, a bond issue could amount to $1 , 275 ,000. In our considered
opinion it would be very difficult to pass such a bond issue.
1 Swimmin
g Pool-s , A Guide_ lde to Their Planning, A D..sl and
Operation; 'Third edition, 1975 Hoffman Publications , Inc. ,
` 3000 N .E. 30th Place , , P.O . Box 11299 , Fort .Lauderdale ,
Florida, - 33306 . P
## Quincy , Ill . (nop. 50 ,000) Sheridan Swim Club has a
four pool outdoor complex with a 50 meter 10 lane
long course pool , a junior pool , wading pool , and
25 yard :� 25 meter diving well . Beside this is a
indoor 25 yard short course pool. .
Lincoln, Neb. (pop. 190 ,000) has one pool complex
composed of a four pool facility, Woods-Pool.
1n addition the city has 8-25 yard neighborhood
pools . -
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