In 2019, Perkins+Will commissioned Counsilman-Hunsaker to provide information for the Foothills Park and Recreation District on two aging outdoor aquatic facilities, Columbine West Pool and 6th Avenue West Pool. Each outdoor aquatic center contained a 25-meter lap pool, diving well, and wading pool.
Counsilman-Hunsaker conducted the facility audit and furnished Foothills Park and Recreation District with essential data to make informed decisions on repair, replacement, and renovation options for the future of the aquatic center. Counsilman-Hunsaker visited the aquatic facilities in March 2019 to review the pools and gather information from staff. The report provided probable costs so that decisions could be made on the future of these facilities.
Ultimately, the district voted to renovate the Columbine West Park aquatic center, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility that meets the community's needs. The new 7,000 sq. ft. aquatic center features a 5,300 sq. ft. recreation pool with zero entry, a play structure, an open swim area with floatables, and lap lane swimming. The 1,600 sq. ft. dive pool features a platform jump and drop slide and a 1-meter springboard installation.
The renovations included:
- ADA accessibility with zero entry wading zone and three ADA lifts.
- The lap pool and diving pool shells were refurbished, new gutters, and all new plumbing was installed.
- The existing building was removed, and a new entry building and bath house were built in a different location. The new building houses all the new mechanical, filtration, plumbing, and heating systems.
- The small, square baby/wading pool was removed. An activity area was added and incorporated into the existing lap pool. This new area ranges from zero depth to 3 ½ ft. deep, and a new play structure was added along with in-ground water sprays.
- The six-lane lap pool was renovated to four lap lanes to accommodate lap swimmers and an open swim area was made for recreational swimmers.
- A 3-meter diving board was removed from the dive pool and replaced with a tower that includes a jumping platform and a drop slide. The 1-meter diving board was re-used.
- Shade structures/umbrellas were added to the site, as well as seating areas and other site improvements.