Ft. Lauderdale Aquatic Center

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, originally constructed in 1965, is a municipal pool owned and operated by the City of Fort Lauderdale. The complex is considered a leader and pioneer among the world’s top aquatic centers, having hosted hundreds of national and international events at which ten world records were set. However, after over 50 years of serving the community, the city made the decision to renovate the facility to ensure Fort Lauderdale remains a destination for world-class aquatic events.

In August 2018, Counsilman-Hunsaker, Hensel Phelps Construction Company, and Cartaya & Associates Architects were chosen as the design-build team to begin preparing construction documents for a redesigned aquatic sports venue. The facility is set to break ground in April 2019 and is expected to be open in July 2020.

This newly renovated facility will include three new pools and a spa, in addition to the current pool. The new pools include a 50-meter competition pool with two bulkheads, a 25-meter dive pool with a 10-meter dive tower, and a teaching pool. The spa is designed to support divers using the diving tower. The current 50-meter pool, used for training purposes, will be fully renovated. The competition and dive pool will be designed to be FINA-compliant, so the facility can host large international competitions. Additionally, the pools will receive new mechanical systems, bringing the facility’s technology into the 21st century. Other work includes a new mechanical building, additional restrooms, and a new grandstand that can accommodate over 1,500 spectators. The redevelopment of the aquatics complex includes:

14,500 sq. ft. Competition Pool

• FINA-compliant pool for swimming, water polo

and synchronized swimming competitions

• Ten 50-meter lap lanes
• 25-meter wide
• Two 6-foot wide bulkheads
• New mechanical systems

6,700 sq. ft. Dive Pool

• FINA-compliant pool for diving competitions
• Nine 25-meter lap lanes
• Stair entry
• 10-meter diving platform
• Three 3-meter springboards
• Two 1-meter springboards
• New mechanical systems

12,400 sq. ft. Existing Training Pool

• Ten 50-meter lap lanes
• Eighteen 25-yard cross course lap lanes
• New gutter system
• New pool finishes
• New mechanical systems

1,000 sq. ft. Teaching Pool

• New mechanical systems
• Stair entry

150 sq. ft. Dive Spa

• Stair entry