The Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center is home to the largest pool in Johnson County, Kan., serving local students and the entire community. This service is made possible through a partnership between the school district, Johnson County Parks and Recreation, and the City of Lenexa. Designers worked to incorporate the needs of this diverse user set. The facility was constructed as part of a $223 million bond issue, approved in 2015 by voters who reside in the Shawnee Mission School District.
Design elements, such as the roofline and lighting, were influenced by the theme of water. Layers of transparency provide visibility into each area of the building so that viewers both inside and out can see events happening within.
The facility was designed to attract regional and national swim meets, in addition to hosting Kansas’ District 5 high school swim meets. It can hold up to 500 competitors and 1,000 spectators. Additional amenities include a warmup/cooldown pool with four 25-yard lap lanes and a movable floor capable of depths ranging from 0 to 7 feet, as well as classrooms, locker rooms, a coaches’ room, concessions stands and a dryland training area.
Valparaiso Aquatic Center
