Information provided by the U.S. Department of Energy on heating and energy saving technologies that can reduce swimming pool operation costs by as much as 50%, including installing a high efficiency or solar pool heater; using a pool cover; managing the water temperature; and installing a smaller, energy-efficient pump and/or operating it less.

Covers the planning process from the perspective of the campus master planner and the recreational sport director; the feasibility study process, how to determine whether to build new or renovate existing facilities, and how to raise capital to fund design and construction costs; the design and general planning standards for indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, aquatic centers, and climbing walls; the integration of furniture, fixtures, and equipment in the architectural design and construction processes; an overview of the architectural design and construction processes; and moving in and opening a new or newly renovated facility. 296p.

Incorporates a field house, natatorium and outdoor turf field to meet the practice, competition, intramural, club and recreational needs of as many students as possible

Describes the Overbrook School for the Blind Kappen Aquatic Center in Philadelphia. The activity pool provides fountains, bubbles, currents, color identification, pool side and bottom textures that bring a unique educational experience to students with visual impairments.

Photos and description of new 178,000-square-foot Athletics and Events Center at Ithaca College that includes an indoor fieldhouse, natatorium and outdoor turf field.

All state and government construction projects will soon have to bring their projects up to compliance to meet the 2010 Standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act — a requirement that includes school exteriors like playgrounds, pools and outdoor signage. For projects that start on or after March 25, 2012 the 2010 ADA standards will apply automatically.

The purpose of this article is to review the literature concerning the effects of disinfectant by-products on indoor swimming pool air quality and to propose practical methods for mitigating their impact in conventional (recreational and competition) indoor pools.

Describes how to build competitive natatoriums with expansive decks and elevated seating that provides ample space for swimmers and spectators.

Situated on the Charlottesville, Va., campus of Buford Middle School as part of a recreation complex that includes an adjacent Boys & Girls Club, the LEED Platinum Smith Aquatic Center won praise for a simple rectangular plan enhanced by judicious selection of materials — to cite one notable example, blue-colored glass tile and raised aluminum signage on the two-story east wall of the natatorium. The center “does all the right things,” said one judge. “It’s simple, monolithic in form but softened with the right materials and detail.” [Includes a full photo gallery]

The most common pool water issues are also the most manageable and preventable, tracing back to two basics of pool maintenance: water chemistry and filtration.

Case study of Philadelphia’s Kappen Aquatic Center at the Overbrook School for the Blind. The energy efficient design saves an estimated 43 percent of the 25,000-square-foot facility’s energy costs compared to a conventional natatorium. The majority of the savings comes from off-peak energy loading, architectural building envelope features such as insulated concrete forms, and a HVAC dehumidification system.

Profiles 3 specialized educational facilities cited in the Fall 2010 Learning by Design competition. These include a library, an alternative energy plant, and a natatorium. For each project, a description, list of project participants, costs, and photographs are included.

Profiles this Portland, Oregon, natatorium that uses heat captured from indoor air exhaust to preheat the pool water, as well as a photovoltaic array that provides 17 percent of the building's energy need.

Describes desirable features of aquatic centers, including pool design, water temperature, accessibility by the community, acoustics, and indoor air quality.

Project description of award winning Zeeland, Michigan high school natatorium.

Discusses requirements for swimming pool drains mandated by this act. Drain covers, a safety vacuum releast system, suction limiting vent systems, automatic pump shutoffs, gravity pools, and drain disablement are addressed.

Discusses respiratory hazards from indoor pools and the chloramines they generate. Most HVAC systems are not designed to remove chloramines. However, recent systems specifically designed for indoor pools are available, and described in the article.

Discusses the high cost of maintaining pools and how some schools are closing theirs, even though interest in competitive swimming is increasing. Cost-saving measures and alternative funding strategies for building and maintaining pools are addressed.

Discusses mitigation of risk at swimming facilities, including abundant slip-free surfacing, anti-entrapment drains, and water sanitation.