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YMCA OUTDOOR POOL

Chillicothe, Missouri

Renovation of an outdoor pool we originally designed in the early 1960s for the City of Chillicothe, Missouri, was completed in June 1993. Although still in excellent physical condition, the 50-yard pool had become outdated by a shift in emphasis over the years from competitive to recreational use.

The original pool was L-shaped and featured a diving area, a deep swimming area and a shallow area, each separated by buoy lines. A small wading pool was built apart from the main pool. Under current standards, the diving area was considered too shallow.

The new pool makes use of most of the original pool's structure and maintain its L shape, although the diving area has been demolished and replaced by a deeper pool with a 1-meter and a 3-meter springboard. The central swimming area has been made shallower and divided into two areas by a concrete walkway. The lap-swimming and competition area features six 25-yard lanes. The new shallow area is a key recreational feature for use by the entire family.

The entire main pool is rimmed with new gutter grating. A plunge pool with two water slides--including a tube-shaped slide--has been added, along with two wood-and-steel-frame shade structures. The separate wading pool has been enlarged. The shallow end of the pool begins at zero depth to provide gradual entrance into the pool and features a mushroom fountain. The wading pool, intended primarily for small children, also features zero depth and a play fountain. Benches on the deck border it on two sides.

Along with renovation of the pool, a new filter house has been added, the bathhouse modified and the pool deck and fencing replaced. Renovation on the bathhouse included new roofing, skylights, plumbing and light fixtures and partitions, and handicapped accessibility. The concession area was also enlarged. The new filter house will protect the pool's pressure sand filters, recirculation pump, and chemical facilities, and features a washwater holding basin designed to help prevent sanitary sewer overflow when the filters are backwashed. All pool-related piping was replaced.

Cost of construction for the project totaled approximately $1.2 million.