Sholem Aquatic Center, Renovation

Champaign, IL
Construction Cost: $6.5 million
Occupancy Date: June 2006

A guiding objective in the renovation of Sholem Aquatic Center was to introduce attractions that would serve the widest range of patrons. As a result, lively new amenities introduced to the park include a zero-depth-entry activity pool, a 25-yard eight-lane lap pool, and a new slide and slide tower. The project also included the addition of an oversized plunge pool, an innertube/raft slide, a lazy river and a new children?s wading pool.

During the makeover process, decisions about what to retain and what to add — and when — were particularly important. This first phase saw the complete demolition and replacement of all pools and site features, a major renovation and expansion of the bathhouse/concessions building and the construction of a new pool filtration building. Utilizing existing foundations, the bathhouse was completely reconstructed from the ground up for the same cost as a renovation. Future plans call for a new deep-water pool with two drop slides.

Leisure aquatic components were separated from the competition pool, which boasts a spectator deck and is accessible through a gate at the complex?s south end.