After serving the Garden City community from 1921 and suffering from severe corrosion and damage, The Big Pool, which originated as a giant hole in the ground dug by existing residents, was expanded into the comprehensive facility it is today. The expansion was completed over multiple phases starting in 2006, with final construction finishing in 2021. AE Design aided in the final leg of the transformation, with the new construction inclusive of an entrance facility (concessions, guards’ room, cabanas, bath house, office), large pool mechanical building, parking lot, 50M competitive pool, splash ground, leisure pool with lazy river, water slides and zero depth pool.

There are several priorities taken into account when designing aquatic facilities, especially those that run after dark. As the facility regularly makes announcements throughout the park, a new, commercial quality PA system with sound reinforcement loudspeakers was needed to ensure guests are able to efficiently and clearly hear what is being said, even if they are in loud areas such as the pool. Typically, water and electrical systems do not mix well, which is why lighting protection systems were of the upmost importance for the longevity and ease of maintenance. Site wide power tied everything together, serving spaces from the concessions stand and security systems, to the pool and pluming equipment.

Our team paid special attention when designing lighting for the new spaces. While indoor spaces allowed for more freedom with fixtures, all outdoor lighting needed to be intentional, with the safety of pool goers and compliance to the International Pool Code in mind. While these factors were prioritized, the overall aesthetic and performance goals of the client were met, all while remaining within the desired budget.

Client: Barker Rinker Seacat Architects
Aquatics, Lighting Design, Electrical Engineering, Security Systems, Power Design, PA System