Outdoor Aquatic Center Design Complete
The final design for a new outdoor aquatic center in Crystal Lake Park will be reviewed by the Urbana Park District Board of Commissioners at their December 13 meeting.
It features creative use of the landscape at the north end of Crystal Lake Park as well as unique pool features like a wet deck and climbing wall. Plans also include a water playground that looks like a natural stream bed and a water spray feature outside the pool complex that can be turned on for those warm days in April and October, as well as throughout the outdoor swimming season.
The design has gone through some structural and cosmetic changes since September, when initial project cost estimates came in higher than expected. The final design continues to meet the park district’s main aquatic objectives, including:
• 62,000 plus annual visitors
• combination of high-energy water play spaces (slides, diving board) and relaxing spaces (zero depth entry, wet deck and shaded lounge areas)
• lap and competitive swimming
• place for swim lessons
Some of the design changes came about due to the need for different infrastructure than was initially expected. The rules for disposing of pool wastewater have changed since construction of the previous pool in the 1980s. This required that the filtration system be upgraded from what was in the September version of the plan. This is a more expensive option but it is a “greener” way to treat the water.
One of the aesthetic goals of the project was to use the topography of Crystal Lake Park. Earlier versions of the plan called for a three-tiered look, which resulted in higher costs for construction. The final plan continues to take advantage of the park’s topography, but eliminates one tier in order to reduce some of the costs associated with different levels of terrain.
The park district is still awaiting word on whether it will receive a $400,000 Illinois Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant to help with project funding. A combination of this grant and private donations will help the park district construct these additional pool features:
• Natural stream bed water feature
• Water slide (enclosed flume)
• Climbing wall
• Resurface and expand parking
The Urbana Park District’s next step in the design process is to develop a pool theme and color scheme. Demolition of the old pool will take place beginning in March 2012 and the new facility will be open in 2013.
The design will be on display in the Phillips Recreation Center, Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center and Anita Purves Nature Center lobbies.
