How to Structure Spectator Seating in Natatoriums

Spectator seating, a key component in any competitive venue, can often become a hot-button topic when designing a natatorium. Aspects such as quantity of seats, type of seat, location, spectator viewing angles and many more variables will arise when making these important decisions. While there is some level of subjectivity involved, and expectations can vary widely, these choices can have a significant impact on a facility.

(Photo by Fentress Photography) - Click to enlarge

WATERSIDE VIEW
Unlike sports such as basketball, football, baseball and hockey, spectator seating for aquatic sports is almost always located parallel to the field of play so as not to significantly diminish the experience. This allows spectators to follow the event from end to end.

For natatoriums with a pool designed for racecourse configurations in perpendicular directions, such as a 50-meter-by-25-yard pool, seating along two sides of the pool might be preferred. However, given the somewhat unique conditions, providing spectator seating along multiple pool sides should be provided. 

Other aquatic sports such as water polo and synchronized swimming have also traditionally preferred spectator seating that is parallel to the field of play. While some fans may actually prefer a frontal view for diving, industry precedence has been to maintain viewing for springboard and platform diving from the side, as well.
 

HEADS ABOVE WATER
Location of the spectator seating area in natatorium design can vary significantly. Generally the most advantageous seating is elevated one story above the water based on two factors: viewing obstructions such as people walking back and forth along the deck, as well as a desire for separation of athletes from spectators. As a result, a preference of swimmers and officials is to provide elevated seating with the first row approximately 10 feet or greater above the pool deck. This situation can commonly be found in natatoriums that contain long-course pools or pools with diving springboards and platforms. In these instances, the vertical space for providing second-story elevated seating is almost always available.

With second-story seating, a design that combines permanent seats and portable seating can provide additional opportunities within the natatorium space. Areas where portable seating can be removed make for ideal space to conduct dryland training or other non-water based activities. During larger meets, portable bleachers can then be staged in this dryland training area. In addition to the viewing advantages that elevated seating can offer, space beneath this seating allows opportunity to locate locker rooms, offices, classrooms, meet management areas, pool mechanicals and storage.

Sometimes budget or other factors lead the designer to create mezzanine seating, where the first row is four to six feet above the pool deck. This design offers improved views but lacks the advantages of second-story seating. While seating raised at a minimum of four feet above the pool deck can still provide an excellent viewing experience, it can also present challenges with obstruction of views caused by athletes and officials walking on the pool deck.
 

(photo by Ken Graham Photography) - Click to enlarge

CLEAR Cs
The rake of spectator seating is another key sightline consideration. As with other sporting events, ensuring that each spectator has the ability to adequately see the entire field of play is critical to the fan experience in a natatorium. This becomes particularly important with elevated seating, where a ceiling rising up to 20 feet high may be required, the additional materials needed to achieve such heights driving up capital costs.

To achieve a full-field-of-play experience, the quality of one's clear view beyond spectators in front — known in the design community as "C Value" — must be considered. The higher the C Value, the better spectators can see above a person sitting in front of them. In very large stadiums, the quantity of seats makes it prohibitive to develop a consistent viewing experience from every seat. Thus, there is almost always a tiered pricing schedule for seats.

In a natatorium, which may include only few thousand seats, a tiered pricing schedule is unlikely. Having a facility where there's not a bad seat in the house can and should be achievable.
 

RELATED: Dehumidifiers Help Maintain Air Quality in Natatoriums
RELATED: Giving Aquatic Competition Venues Star Treatment
RELATED: How to Design a World-Class Diving Venue

WATER-RESISTANCE
Seating areas in natatoriums can be permanent, temporary, or a mix of both. Permanent seats are often considered the first choice due to ease of upkeep and lower annual costs. Permanent seating can be either bleacher style or individual seats. For most facilities, bleacher seating provides the most economical solution and can maximize the seat count within the available space. However, for larger facilities that are expected to host national and international competitions, individual seats may be preferred.

Because the harsh environment of natatoriums can wreak havoc on building materials and finishes, material selection is important. Non-corrosive equipment should be selected, and in some instances, concrete-step seating may provide sufficient seating while boasting a low maintenance requirement.

Other issues to be considered include capital costs, ability to convert spectator seating space to multiuse space, frequency of competition events, emergency exit requirements, density of spectators, and requirements for parking-to-seating ratios.
 

(Photo by Fentress Photography) - Click to enlarge

BY THE NUMBERS
The most common factors — besides budget — determining the total quantity of spectator seating are pool size and the scale of the events to be held there. A typical seat count for a short-course pool is 125 to 250 seats. Facilities hosting multi-team meets will usually require 250 to 500 seats. Since such events are less frequent, a combination of permanent and temporary seats is the most cost-effective solution.

Occasionally, a natatorium will be called upon to host larger multi-team meets. These facilities can justify 500 to 1,000 combined seats. A long-course pool that will host major competitions will typically require a minimum of 1,000 permanent seats, with space for installing additional temporary seats.

Still larger attendance may occur for special events, such as national collegiate championship meets, which frequently accommodate 1,500 to 2,500 spectators using a combination of permanent and temporary seats. Prior to the event's demise, the U.S. Olympic Festival requirements were 2,500 to 3,000 seats. Major international swimming events such as the FINA World Championships or Pan American Games typically require 7,500 to 10,000 seats. At the top of the scale are Olympic aquatic venues, with a requirement of 15,000 to 20,000 seats, including up to one-third reserved for VIPs, athlete family members and the media. Such events require a huge investment of resources and logistics on the part of a facility, but come with a worthwhile payoff.

Other factors that must be considered with spectator seating include controlled access, traffic patterns that do not cross wet decks, ADA design issues, emergency exits, spectator-only restrooms, and custodial care. Each of these items should be carefully evaluated so a clear understanding among both the professional design consultants and owner are consistent. It is also likely that jurisdictional code requirements may impact several of these design considerations.

Designing the appropriate spectator seating location, style and quantity involves many considerations. Providing ample space for spectators in a friendly and comfortable environment is critical, and all factors should be considered by developing a list of preferred solutions that are prioritized and matched to fit a budget. While this goal may seem difficult to achieve at the onset of a natatorium project, proper planning and design can result in a facility suited to meet spectator expectations for many years.

Scott Hester is president and principal with St. Louis-based aquatics engineering firm Counsilman-Hunsaker.

This article originally appeared in the May 2015 issue of Athletic Business with the title "Spectator Splash"

Aqua Creek Products LLC
The new Shockwave aquatic exercise bike offers six levels of resistance to meet users' physical capabilities. The Shockwave's lightweight design and scratch-resistant wheels allow for easy transport. The optional recumbent seat offers extra back support and increased comfort. The Shockwave is an ideal solution for individuals recovering from surgery or looking for a low-impact way to get fit.
www.aquacreek.com
(888) 687-3552

AquaClimb
Aquatics professionals need to create excitement at their facilities with a new attraction, but they have to be able to clear the decks for competition swim meets. Equipped with special flush anchors, AquaClimb walls can be easily removed and folded for storage in a small footprint — a process that takes less than 30 minutes. This means aquatic facilities can have the best of both worlds.
www.aquaclimb.com
(800) 956-6692

Competitor Swim
Lane line material from Competitor® enhances performance and durability while exceeding the company's own standards. A protective additive formula called LifeSpan+™ with polymer stabilization components and highly weather-resistant pigments substantially increases the useful life of Competitor discs in harsh pool environments. LifeSpan+ was developed in collaboration with the University of Akron Institute of Polymer Science & Polymer Engineering and A. Schulman, a leading supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins.
www.competitorswim.com
(800) 888-7946

DeltaUV
Delta UV's ELP AM low-pressure UV disinfection system is compactly sized, making it the ideal choice for retrofit applications where space is an issue. Perfect for indoor pools and spas to reduce chloramines and sanitize water, the ELP Series AM is designed for high flow rates with an average lamp life up to 13,000 operating hours. The NSF-50-certified system improves water and air quality while reducing chemical usage, and preventing red eyes, dry skin and damaged hair among pool users.
www.deltauvcommercial.com
(866) 889-8765

Dri-Dek
Dri-Dek's anti-skid, self-draining surface keeps floors dry. Made from antimicrobial oxy-B1^TM vinyl to help control infectious bacteria, mold and mildew, Dri-Dek is perfect for pool areas, showers, locker rooms and barefoot walkways. Interlocking tiles easily snap together to form a custom surface of any length, width or shape. Dri-Dek is now available in 12-inch-square tiles, 3-by-4-foot interlocking sheets and 3-by-12-foot interlocking rolls, as well as 12 colors (blue, pool blue, gray, hunter green, kelly green, black, almond, burgundy, teal, red, yellow and white).
www.dri-dek.com
(800) 348-2398

Lincoln Aquatics
The automatic self-propelled and self-contained vacuum from Lincoln Aquatics operates without the use of the labor traditionally required to physically clean a pool. Simply place the vacuum in the pool, let it work, and then rinse the filter assembly when finished. This allows staff to tend to other duties while the pool is being cleaned. The automatic vacuum is not only easy to use but ensures better cleaning compared to hand washing.
www.lincolnaquatics.com
(800) 223-5450

Recreation Supply Company
Recreation Supply Company makes shopping for pool supplies easy, with no waiting for shipping quotes. Shipping is built into the price of nearly everything an aquatic facility could need. Small orders are charged a $7.95 handling fee, but most orders over $100 ship absolutely free in the 48 contiguous United States. The company's commercial pool supply catalog is available free or charge.
www.recsupply.com
(866) 831-0048

Recreonics Inc.
Wibit Sports Modular and FlatTop Inflatables help boost attendance and increase revenue at swimming pools. The complete line of inflatables is configurable in any layout, allowing pool operators to create activities and games to meet customers' interests and family needs.
www.recreonics.com
(800) 428-3254

RenoSys Corp.
RenoSys combines its durable PVC pool and deck membranes and PVC gutter and grating system to ensure a durable, watertight pool environment. The company's PVC pool shell spans gaps and cracks, sealing and stopping leaks, and directly connects with the PVC gutter. By providing the long-term durability of PVC throughout the pool environment, pools last longer and remain watertight. RenoSys designs and manufactures all of its pool products specifically for the harsh aquatic environment.
www.renosys.com
(800) 783-7005

S.R.Smith
S.R.Smith's Legacy Launch line of starting platforms has been modified to accept Colorado Time Systems' RJP technology. All other features, including the track start wedge, SolidStart edge for improved grip, and the patented RockSolid^TM anchoring system are standard features. S.R.Smith's RockSolid anchoring system is an expandable wedge design that exerts continuous, even pressure against the starting block post. This unique anchor design virtually eliminates post movement.
www.srsmith.com
(800) 824-4387

SwimEx Inc.
SwimEx® hot or cold plunge spas are ideal for locker rooms and fitness facilities. They are available in four standard sizes or can be customized for specific space and rehabilitation requirements. Prefabricated in fiberglass for superior temperature retention, the spas can be installed below or above ground to create the ultimate revitalization environment.
www.swimex.com
(800) 877-7946