Architectural Elements
Pool Area
A. System Description
1. The main swimming pool was constructed in 1983 and has served the Northern Arizona
University community as a place for competition, fitness, education and recreation. The swimming
pools were designed using leading edge design for the time they were constructed and exhibit a
history of good maintenance and operations.
2. The main pool is a rectangonal shaped swimming pool that is a 50 meter main swimming course
and the width dimensions are 25 meters and a 25 yard course was created. This pool has a
perimeter of 515 feet, surface area of 12,000 square feet and a water volume of approximately
695,000 gallons of water. The 50 and 25 meter courses are well marked for lap swimming and
competition. The 25 yard course does have lane line or targets. The main pool has a shallow
water depth of 4 feet and slopes to a deeper end of 13 feet at the diving end. The swimming
pools were constructed using poured in place reinforced concrete with a plaster interior that has
been covered with a 15 year old PVC lining system. The original construction documents were
available for review.
3. The pool utilizes gas chlorine for their primary sanitizer that is stored in a separate room. The pH
is balanced in the pool through the use of acid.
B. System Conditions/Observations
1. The main pool is a rectangonal shaped configuration, with the deep end located proximal to the
locker room; this is a challenging orientation for safety. The pool is a cast-in-place concrete shell
with a failed plaster finish, that has been covered with a PVC lining system and a perimeter deck
level grated concrete gutter and wall inlet return system. The pool structure appears sound
however the 15 year old PVC lining system is nearing the end of it service life.
2. The pool structure appears to be in good condition. However, the PVC lining system appears to
be in various stages of decay. The liner has faded considerably and the black racing lanes are
now faded gray. The liner appears to have been patched numerous times.
3. It appears that there has been some leakage through the shell and additionally around some of
the pool shell fixtures most notably some of the light fixtures. There are several areas where the
junction between the deck and pool structure have leaked and some structural concerns are
visible with the deck structure. These areas need to be made leak proof with the deck surface
replacement. The areas where the diving board stands have been relocated need to be
structurally repaired and configured to withstand the dynamic loads of these components.
4. The pool gutter interior water proofing appears to have worn off over the years of operation.
5. The pool gutter grating is considerably past the normal useful service life and is now a liability.
The staff is doing an admirable job in keeping the gutter grates operational but there are
numerous soft areas of reduced structural bearing capacity and exposed sharp edges. This
creates a hazard at water’s edge.
6. The underwater pool lights are comprised of two types; one of a wet niche style and the other a
dry niche lamp serviced from the mechanical space around the pool. A large number of these
underwater pool lamps are not functioning.
7. The pool and natatorium lighting is extremely low lighting levels. The lighting does not meet any
of the NCAA requirements for competition or standards for operation the pool from a standard of
care perspective.
8. Seven pendant lights have been removed above the southwest shallow pool.
9. This pool needs to have two accessible entries to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) Requirements. These federally mandated guidelines must be complied with very quickly.
10. The structural floor deck around the pool allows water infiltration down into the tunnel below.
11. The deck tiles are in good condition, with only several cracked units noted.
12. The pool’s main drains do not have Title XIV – The Virginia Graeme Baker Act with VGBA
compliant grates.
13. The pool deck does not have any deck drains and currently has a slight slope towards the pool
gutter.
14. The deck tiles are reported to be very slippery and caution is required when walking on the pool
deck.
15. The pool deck does not meet the Arizona Health Code for depth markings and has no diving
signage.
16. The original pool configuration provides competition courses of 8 lanes in a 50 meter length and 6
lanes in a 25 meter length. A bulkhead has been placed in the pool to provide some practice
water of 25 yard length. The 50 meter and 25 meter courses are the only true established
courses; these are not the course lengths that are used for current NCAA competition, which
requires 25 yard competition length. Currently all times are converted to yards.
17. The bulkhead that has been installed in the pool to create the 25 yard course length is extremely
creative and serves the purpose cost efficiently. However this solution provides numerous
concerns from a risk management perspective.
18. The original spring board diving towers have been relocated in the diving well. The relocation was
not accomplished with complete understanding of the structural implications to the original pool
deck structure. Better structural support is needed. The bases allow leakage into tunnel below.
19. All of the competition swimming equipment appears to be original. This includes the starting
platforms, timing equipment and score board. This equipment should be updated to meet current
competition standards.
20. The pool deck is cluttered, with lane markers. Additional storage is needed.
21. The bottom of the lower large round supply ducts is showing signs of corrosion.
22. The access panel at the north wall is corroded.
23. One of the fluorescent lights has the lens taped into position.
C. Recommendations
1. To protect the concrete and reinforcing steel, a new coat of water proofing should be applied,
inside the pool gutter system.
2. The niches at the underwater pool lights should be renovated and the lights replaced with LED
lights for long term ease of maintenance.
3. The sumps and grates must be updated at the pool’s main drains. These federally mandated
guidelines must be complied with very quickly.
4. The pool gutter grating system should be replaced.
5.
Pool deck drains should be incorporated in the design of gutter replacement.
6. The deck tile should be replaced with a surface that has a compliant coefficient of friction to
prevent slips and falls by pool users. Radial safety grooving is one option, though structural
recommends removal of the tiles to allow inspection of the substrate.
7. The bulkhead should either be removed or modified to be a safer environment.
8. The diving board towers need to be modified to protect the structural integrity of the pool deck.
9. The competition swimming equipment including: starting platforms, timing equipment, and
scoreboard – should be updated to meet current competition standards.
10. The PVC pool liner is beyond its expected life and should be replaced or a new plaster system
installed.
11. To improve competition opportunities, the north angular portion of the building could be removed
and reconstructed, to allow for eight 25M lanes as well as eight 25YD lanes with the addition of a
moveable bulkhead, an increase of two. This course could then become the official competition
lanes for meets. The shallow pool area could be worked, to create 7 lanes of 25YD training water,
leaving space for a smaller warm water wellness pool. See attached building diagram, in Section
6.
12. A more ambitious approach would provide the same rework of the 25M/25YD area and extend
the building to the east, creating 13 lanes of 25YD competition. This would provide space for a
formal diving well at the west, and preserve the 50M lanes running east/west beyond a
permanent bulkhead that would separate the diving area. See attached building diagram, in
Section 6.
Pool Area 1
Fig. 2C.1 – Lack of wheelchair viewing spaces.
Fig. 2C.2 - Hand & guard rails not ADA compliant.
Fig. 2C.3 – Stairs and handrails not code compliant.
Fig 2C.4 – Diving boards not properly secured.
Fig. 2C.5 – Light fixture inaccessible to relamp.
Fig. 2C.6 - Water damage to sill & wood trim.
Fig. 2C.7 – Window seals failed.
Fig. 2C.8 – Window operating mechanism rusted.
Pool Area 2
Fig. 2C.9 – Rusted Kalwall steel framing.
Fig. 2C.10 – Damage at Glu-Lam beams lamination.
Fig. 2C.11 – Deterioration to Glu-Lam beams.
Fig. 2C.12 – Deterioration to Glu-Lam column.
Fig. 2C.13 – Water damage to Glu-Lam column.
Fig. 2C.14 – Water damage to plastic laminate sills.
Fig. 2C.15 – Deterioration of bond beam and soffit.
Fig. 2C.16 – Delamination @ P.L. reveal below cap.
Pool Area 3
Fig. 2C.17 – Damaged door and frame.
Fig. 2C.18 – Rusted out hollow metal door frame.
Fig. 2C.19 - Replace insulation on refrigeration lines.
Fig. 2C.20 – Rust on hollow metal door & frame.
Fig. 2C.21 – Rust at timing control box.
Fig. 2C.22 – Rust at spiral duct supports.
Fig. 2C.23 – Rusted access panel door & frame.
Fig. 2C.24 – Damaged fluorescent light fixture.
Pool Area 4
Fig. 2C.25 – Rusting bolts at Glu-Lam connection.
Fig. 2C.26 – Inaccessable light fixtures over pool.
Fig. 2C.27 – Pool gutter grating is falling apart.
Fig. 2C.28 – Vinyl strips are damaged or missing.
Fig. 2C.29 – Burned out lights above pool.
Fig. 2C.30 – Clutter on pool deck.
Fig. 2C.31 – Slippery and damaged tile.
Fig. 2C.32 – Rusting hollow metal doors and frame.