The 75,000-square-foot Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Center (SAARC) is the first of its kind in Prince George County and features multigenerational recreation offerings for residents in the region. The original project dates to 2014 and was completed in 2021, with a variety of market fluctuations and variations in the meantime. The project team adapted to these market changes to keep the project on schedule and within budget. Funding for the highly anticipated facility was provided through the following three areas: $37,285,000 in bonds, $850,000 in PAYGO, and $3 million in developer contributions.
Enhancing the community experience, SAARC features a natatorium, a fitness center, an elevated running track and a variety of programming space for the community. WTI provided aquatic planning, design and engineering for the three separate pools in this design/build project, which includes a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a leisure pool with a zero-depth entry, a waterslide with plunge area, and a spa. SAARC is a part of the “2040 Functional Master Plan for Parks and Recreation Open Space” created in 2013 to emphasize connectivity, health and wellness, and economic development. SAARC embodies the intended outcome of the master plan while serving as a unifying destination for the community with balanced offerings for leisure, recreation and programming.
QUICK FACTS
LEAD ARCHITECT: Hughes Group Architects
AQUATIC DESIGN CONSULTANT: Water Technology Inc.
COMPONENTS
- 25-yeard lap pool
- Zero-depth entry leisure pool
- Water slide
- Plunge area
- Spa
SUPPLIERS
Chemical Control Systems: BECS Technology Inc.
Scoreboard/Timing Systems: Colorado Time Systems
Lane Markers: Competitor Swim
Filtration Systems, Sanitization Systems: Neptune Benson / Evoqua
ADA Lifts, Ladders/Grab Bars, Water Play Features: Spectrum Aquatics
Thompson Park Pool
