Citrus County, Fla., may sound like a place for year-round idyllic weather and ever-ripe oranges and grapefruit. However, the region experiences temperatures in the 30s and 40s several times a year, as well as severe weather in the warmer months. Operators of the YMCA of the Suncoast took the area’s weather into account when they were planning the aquatic facilities for a new branch in Lecanto, which sits north of Tampa on the Gulf side of the Sunshine State.
“Originally, we had looked at constructing a natatorium — an actual structure over the swimming pool,” says Tim Ackerman, vice president of properties for YMCA of the Suncoast, adding that after some research such a project proved to be cost prohibitive.
Given the organization’s experiences with inflatable structures, Ackerman wasn’t keen on going with that option for a couple of reasons. “In the past, at another one of our locations, we had done an inflatable dome over the swimming pool, and we found that to be extremely cumbersome. And because you were introducing cold air at all times to keep the dome inflated, it didn't offer very much comfort for our members. You’d have beautiful, warm water in the swimming pool, but then when members get out of the pool, they were freezing.”
Ackerman eventually went to visit a few retractable dome structures, eventually landing on DynaDome’s solution, which employs an all-aluminum frame and polycarbonate panels, for the facility in Lecanto. DynaDome confirmed for Ackerman that the company’s product could meet Florida wind codes, and could get Florida product approval.
Ackerman was especially impressed with the price tag on a DynaDome structure, which he says came in at $750,000 less than a standalone natatorium. However, the biggest selling point was the structure’s inherent flexibility.
“The other intriguing part of the dome was that it offered us the opportunity to meet what most of our members prefer, which is outdoor swimming,” says Ackerman. “For instance, today it’s 53 degrees and the dome is closed. But this afternoon it’s 72, and we will open the dome, which takes about 45 seconds. You just push a button and it opens, and we’ll have an outdoor swimming pool until the temperature drops down to about 65, and then we’ll close the dome again and have an indoor swimming pool. That’s the beauty of this system.”
When severe weather does happen, Ackerman says he’s no longer concerned given the sturdy construction of the DynaDome structure. “We’ve had some pretty hefty winds come through there, and we clamp the dome shut. It is very heavy. It’s a big structure, and we’ve had zero problem whatsoever with any kind of storm-related issues. Not even a panel has come out, so we’re feeling pretty good about it overall.”
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Aside from price, flexibility and durability, the DynaDome also requires less infrastructure, and no expensive equipment to control temperature and humidity was necessary. “With the DynaDome, you can open windows, closed windows, crack the dome — do anything you want to manipulate the airflow through this structure, which gives you the ability to really take care of humidity issues. If there is any odor from the swimming pool, you can alleviate that very quickly.”
Aside from protecting end-users from inclement weather, DynaDome also offers an unexpected benefit when the structure is opened.
“The other beauty of it is that when we stack the dome in its open position, it gives us two covered ends where the tables and chairs sit,” says Ackerman. “And those panels block 97 percent of the UV, so it really gives a nice, shady area for people to sit and watch their kids swim in the swimming pool. That was just an added bonus that came along with it. For instance, for active older adults, we will open the dome halfway because some of them prefer to be out of the sun when they’re doing water aerobics, and some would prefer to be in the sun, but we can give them both.”
For its part, DynaDome bills itself as an end-to-end supplier, boasting products made entirely in the United States. All DynaDome structures are custom-designed and include a 20-plus-year warranty. They’re also engineered to comply with the building code requirements specific to each project, and customers receive stamped plans from a licensed engineer for their state showing that the DynaDome will meet local building code requirements. DynaDome not only designs and produces all of the parts that make up the structure, they also install with their own crew which alleviates any issues with assembling the structure incorrectly if done by a crew that hasn’t seen this before.
Ackerman thinks the DynaDome is worth consideration for those mulling bricks-and-mortar projects. He points to one YMCA in another part of the Sunshine State that planned to renovate its existing structure.
“This city has a large structure over one of their swimming pools,” Ackerman says. “It’s steel and glass. It’s been there about 20 years. They were about to renovate it for the second time, this time to the tune of almost $14 million. And you know, I thought, I could put a dome over that thing and alleviate all these maintenance issues they’re having. But they like their structure, and they’re going to rehab it. But when I look at mine, 25 years after I put it in, I'll put a new one in for another million dollars and be set for another 25 years.”
For more information, visit dynadome.com.