An exciting joint venture developed by Beacon Health System, the City of Elkhart, a private investment group and Elkhart Community Schools has resulted in a new two-story facility that includes aquatics for private use and competition, a large public health/wellness center and a private health club.
The main aquatics offering is an Olympic-sized 66-meter pool with two bulkheads, allowing for multiple areas of competition. Options for 25-yard, 25-meter or 50-meter swimming offers multiple course lengths and makes the pool a perfect venue for training. Competition divers are accommodated with 1-, 3- and 5-meter dive springboards and platforms, along with a warm-up tank. With room for 1,200 spectators, as well as sales and concessions areas, the facility is capable of hosting local swim meets and regional events. A supportive “wet classroom” serves as a staging area for competition, parties or related events. The pool is also supported with men’s and women’s lockers, separate visiting team lockers and coaches’ offices. The recreational pool includes a ramped entry with wide stairs and a terrace for youth instruction and learn-to-swim programs. Aquatic therapy offerings include a separate therapy pool and a water treadmill. An inclusive spa with a carefully placed entry point allows for wheelchair access.
A separately accessed public area includes a large gym, three multipurpose rooms, a lounge and concourse with glassy views into the aquatics area, a teaching kitchen, and a craft room overlooking a rooftop terrace. An outdoor mini-amphitheater is intended to host community theater, dance and music performances with lawn seating. The private health club portion of the facility includes a 10,000-square-foot fitness area, group exercise rooms, bariatric consultation rooms, locker rooms, two racquetball courts, a gym and a three-lane elevated running track.
University of Connecticut Student Recreation Center
