Dedicated in 1962 to Joseph C. Trees, this facility serves as the leading aquatics site for campus recreation, varsity athletics, and the Department of Health and Physical Activity. The facility consists of two adjoining pools. The large pool is Olympic-size (50-meters by 25-yards), equipped with springboards and a 10-meter platform, and serves as the primary pool for recreational swimming, team practices, and competitions. The small pool consists of six 25-yard lanes and supplements additional programming such as water aerobics and swim lessons.
In November 2018, the University of Pittsburgh commissioned Counsilman-Hunsaker to provide a natatorium assessment of the two pools. A site visit was conducted to evaluate the existing facilities and their respective mechanical systems, report any areas of concern, and benchmark the facility against the other competitive and recreational aquatic facilities provided by other schools within the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Counsilman-Hunsaker documented risk concerns, code issues, and operational problems pertaining to the pool, natatorium, and mechanical systems. Detailed notes, measurements, and pictures were taken to document all findings. After the evaluation, a comparison was completed consisting of an option for renovation and an option for the complete replacement of the facility. This resulted in giving the university a comprehensive perspective to make future planning decisions in aquatics. Additionally, following the analysis, an assessment report was prepared that outlined the findings. The final report included recommended improvements to resolve the concerns identified, including cost estimates.
