Wissahickon School District New Natatorium Planning Considerations

1. Wissahickon School DistrictNew NatatoriumPlanning Considerations Presented by Trojan Aquatics

2. Who is Trojan Aquatics? Parents and coaches of WHS Swim and Water Polo teams Purpose: • Booster Club to support the above teams • Organize and manage off-season water polo and swimming programs • Support above through activity fees, contributions and donations (e.g., procure training equip) • Sponsor scholarships for graduating seniors who have participated in these WHS aquatic programs

3. Current Program • WHS swimming, diving, and water polo are growing in participation, and success: • 56 student-athletes participated on the swim/diving team this year; 50 participated on water polo team • 8 swimmers went to Districts this year; 2 to States • Water polo team has gone to State tournament 5 of last 7 years; placed 5th this year • 9 graduates of the WHS aquatic programs the last 3 yrs went on to participate at the NCAA level • 88 people in spring water polo

4. Current Problems • Not serving our District residents • Over a dozen swimmers choose to train elsewhere, or are leaving the programs entirely • Many of the best swimmers (USA caliber) • Swimming is unlike other HS sports • Requires a special use facility • Practice time is different – 2 times a day

5. OVERVIEW • Guiding Principles • Origin of Design Concepts • Overall Pool Design • Specific Needs • Swimming • Diving • Water Polo • Physical Education • Community Aquatic Activities

6. Guiding Principles • Have a multi-use facility – versatile • Develop natatorium complex that promotes a progressive, 21st Century school district, committed to physical fitness and competitive sports • Ensure the facility is fully integrated with the curriculum of the High School • Have the ability to successfully hold swimming, diving, or water polo competitions at “Suburban One League” Championship level/size

7. Guiding Principles • Consider all possible constituencies: • students • facility & staff • high school swim/dive and water polo teams • community swim/dive and water polo teams • district residents • Have WSD recognized regionally as “best in class” regarding their aquatics center • Support the District community at large, via increased aquatic programs targeting unmet needs

8. Origin of Design Concepts • Input from Trojan Aquatics parents, swimmers, and alumni via email solicitation • In-person and telephonic interviews with 11 “pool-knowledgeable” sources from multiple school districts & programs: • 8 high school swimming coaches • 4 high school water polo coaches • all were collegiate swimmers, some with national rankings • Head of American Water Polo; Commissioner of Collegiate Water Polo • 2 aquatic program administrators

9. Overall Pool Design • “Stretch” design pool, with bulkhead to create 25 yd short course pool(s) and a diving area • 25 yds wide ‘across’ pool – more needed practice space • At least 40 yds long, plus width of 5 ft bulkhead • State-of-the-art ventilation and air filtration systems, with appropriate temperature and humidity controls for full time, year-round consistency, capable of sufficiently handling the heavy usage surrounding swim meets, water polo matches, and practices

10. Overall Pool Design (Con’t) • Increased deck space to improve safety for participants and officials – on a non-slip surface • Large storage space(s) – store water polo goals, swimming touch pads, timing system, lane lines & equipment, training equipment, canoes & PE equip • Sufficient seating area to accommodate League Championship / similar size meets (500 ppl range) • Separate Home and Visitors locker rooms for both Boys and Girls

11. Overall Pool Design (Con’t) • Natural lighting, properly positioned, w/ ability to invoke shades if outside sun is problematic • Scoreboard that is easily seen from anywhere, capable of scoring for both swimming and water polo • Locker room access that does not require walking onto pool deck – health & safety issue • All seating & equipment on deck to be “removable”, for flexibility, cleaning, and maintenance

12. Overall Pool Design (Con’t) • Main pool entrance should be to the “outside”, so that evening/weekend use of pool doesn’t require entering the school – security issue • Sufficient lobby area for children waiting for rides; protection from the weather • Good acoustic system, quality speakers, acoustical tiles or sound damping devices • ADA entry – chair & gradual steps • Offices: Coaches, P.E. office, First Aid – location

13. Overall Pool Design (Con’t) • Entrance to spectator seating should be “behind”, so as to not interfere with viewing • Main entryway to have vestibule area (one set of doors closes before the others are opened) – helps maintain indoor temperature and maintain air quality • Protective glass ‘walls’ (rather than railing/bars) for unobstructed viewing • Ancillary room for instruction – PE dept, teaching by coaches, program instructors, American Red Cross

14. Overall Pool Design (Con’t) • Snack bar area in pool lobby • Wall outlets raised higher than usual – get power cords off the deck / kept drier • Underwater speakers – used for coaching instruction & music (for swim practice and recreational swimming) • Capability for live streaming events; video training • Underwater window/observation area – for coaches to film and observe/critique

15. Specific Needs • Swimming • Diving • Water Polo • Physical Education • Community Aquatic Programs

16. Swimming • 8-10 swim lanes – minimum • Warm-up/-down partitioned area for use before, during, after meet • Design concepts for “fast” pool • Appropriate depth (mostly 6’6” or deeper) • Water ‘buffer” between outside lanes and pool edges • Advanced drainage system • Modern wave overflow mgmt • Lane-line design • Starting blocks – larger with racing insert option

17. Swimming (Con’t) • Sufficient deck space and seating for participants – on both sides and ends of pool • Wall mounted “hook up” for timing system, in multiple locations – ensures flexibility • Install timing system wiring within the deck – eliminates potential safety hazard

18. Diving • “Preferred” depth as per USA Swimming (13’6”) • (2) 1-meter and (1) 3-meter diving boards (need for competitions; AP option to prepare athletes for next level; opens revenue opportunity) • Warming system for divers (warm water spray showers in wall; other warm water access) • Sprays/water agitators for divers to observe water level • Avoid windows behind diving boards – sunlight is impediment for judges • Ability for judges to view divers from more than one angle/vantage point

19. Water Polo • Room for 2 regulation water polo play fields (to host tournaments) – appropriate depth throughout • Scoreboard must accommodate water polo needs • Officials must be able to walk both sides of the field of play (lengthwise) without obstruction • No ‘breakables’ behind goals (glass windows or doors; scoreboard; clocks) • Safety nets to control errant balls

20. Physical Education • Larger facility can accommodate multiple classes simultaneously of varying skill levels • Expand aquatic offerings for PE classes • Cross-training by other HS/MS sports teams • Exercise option for “academic period” • Lifeguard certification

21. Community Aquatic Programs • Shallow end for children’s lessons; water aerobics; other activities • “Master’s” swim program • Adult lessons • Water safety training • Consider at least one (1) “family changing room”, even if public restrooms are nearby • Have a separate community entrance, with control desk and set of small changing rooms. Could facilitate use by community during school day with no intrusion on school locker rooms.