Torrent River’s Access Ramp Designed to Shield Users from Waves

A common misperception about leisure pools is that they're all alike. Not so. The natatorium in The Multiplex in Grande Prairie, Alb., includes three pool basins — one competitive tank, one training tank and one leisure-oriented pool — and a FlowRider and spraypad. But even with that large a program, there wasn't space to satisfy the owner's desire for a full-fledged wave pool. Instead, Barr-Ryder Architects & Interior Designers of Edmonton, working in conjunction with Water Technology of Beaver Dam, Wis., configured the leisure pool as a torrent river. High-banked walls contain the river waves (inset), and an access ramp for people with disabilities (foreground, above) is made safe for use through a design that follows the river's contours along its outer wall. A pool lift serves as the river's second accessibility option, since the "Adventure River," unlike most other leisure pools, lacks a zero-depth entry.