The Wallman Wellness Center Aquatics Addition

Fargo, ND
Construction Cost: $9.6 Million
Area / Square Feet: 28,547
Occupancy Date: September 2017

VERSATILE LEISURE

The uniqueness of the leisure pool at The Wallman Wellness Center is a highlight unrivaled at other college and community facilities in the region. With a vortex circle, a zero-degree entry, multiple lounge spaces, built-in barstools, spaces to play basketball and volleyball, a large spa, and an on-deck fire pit, the leisure pool is truly unique. Fitness and recreational spaces, such as courts in a gymnasium, outdoor fields, and rectilinear eight-lane pools simply cannot rival the leisure pool in terms of its ability to offer disparate programming simultaneously. The pool and the nearby deck can serve at least five different programming uses at the same time without competing for space.

ADAPTATION

It was a challenge to add the aquatic center to an existing facility while the building remained open during construction. Additionally, major underground utilities for the wellness building had to be relocated to accommodate the aquatic center addition. The climate in North Dakota can be extreme for six months of the year, which meant that project construction was tricky. Despite construction challenges, the project succeeded as a beautiful student aquatic center that complements the existing Wallman Wellness Center.

THOUGHTFUL LAYOUT

The facility is heavily focused on sustainability. The pools are heated through heat-exchange systems that tie in with the wellness center building. Excess heat in the building HVAC system is utilized to heat the pools, which saves a considerable amount of money in terms of energy costs. The glass wall that divides the competition pool from the leisure pool helps with saving on HVAC and pool heating costs. The environments have different temperature needs and it would be difficult to serve those needs efficiently if the wall was not there.