Counsilman-Hunsaker was commissioned by Community Ventures and the City of Philadelphia to provide an assessment of the 7,200 square foot outdoor pool at the Lawncrest Recreation Center. The assessment had a specific focus on the longevity of the current pool for consideration for a potential renovation or replacement after being closed for over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing maintenance issues.
The assessment focused on the pool structure, finishes, lack of perimeter overflow, deck, and overall support spaces. Prior to the pool closing before the pandemic, staff reported significant water loss. While the pool structure and painted finish were in poor condition, it became apparent that most of the water loss was from the piping system through a geophysical investigation. The geophysical investigation used ground-penetrating radar, which located the below-grade pool piping. Areas of abnormalities in the subsurface were found, which included subgrade voids and excessive moisture in the subgrade. Using this information considerations had to be made on the long-term viability of renovating the pool structure.
Two options for renovation (short-term and long-term) were explored; however, due to the findings of the geophysical investigation, the assessment focused on a Myrtha RenovAction solution, which would provide a better long-term return on investment for the facility. A RenovAction approach would provide the facility with a 25+ year solution by reusing the existing footprint of the pool structure but providing new stainless-steel walls and fiberglass reinforced composite membrane to provide a new pool solution within the existing shell. In conjunction with a full mechanical system replacement, including replacing all below-grade piping with new Schedule 80 PVC, a RenovAction approach would give the city a long-term solution to the current issues it faced at the pool.