The Salinas Aquatics Center in Salinas, California has received top honors in Aquatics International’s 2011 Dream Designs competition, winning the award for Best Competition Pool. The landmark LEED Gold Certified facility features a beautiful retractable pool enclosure by OpenAire.
The Aquatic Center features a 73 foot (22.3m) by 75 foot (22.9m) lap and activity pool that is protected from the elements by a 100 foot (30.5m) by 110 foot (33.5m) retractable enclosure. Designed with OpenAire’s exclusive maintenance-free thermally broken aluminum framing system, the enclosure has an operable roof that can open up to 50 percent. Translucent polycarbonate panels transmit an abundance of natural light, and 15 foot (4.57m) high vertical walls made of glass and polycarbonate let in even more sunshine and provide great views of the landscaped grounds.
The Best Competition Pool award winner boasts a number of features that make it a great destination for the entire community. The focal point of a much larger recreation complex, the pool is an appealing space that gets lots of sunlight and fresh air, and can be enjoyed by swimmers, spectators and staff alike. In addition to being used as a competition space, the Salinas Aquatic Center also offers a variety of swim and fitness programs – everything from beginner lessons to exercise classes to team practices are held there.
Built with a high level of environmental awareness, the LEED Gold Certified building exceeds California’s Energy Efficiency Standards by a remarkable 25 percent. Green features include the use of natural daylight throughout the entire facility, fresh-air dehumidification and natural cooling, plus energy efficient heating, electrical and space conditioning systems, UV water filters, thermal pool covers and more.
