Pools and splash pads are fast becoming amenity-filled complexes geared to providing fun for the whole family—including those who might not want to get wet.
Today’s pool operations are bringing more to the table than just the pools themselves. In fact, pool facilities are becoming destinations in their own right, with amenities that go well beyond diving boards, snack shacks and lounge chairs.
Clubs and resorts are now incorporating impressive dining venues, recreation rooms, comfortable locker rooms and much more into their swimming complexes. These “dry areas” add value to properties and make them more inviting to families that are looking for a well-rounded social and recreational experience.
SUMMING IT UP
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Inspired Design
In designing amenity-rich pool facilities, it is important to focus on the flow of the area. For example, when Pottawattomie Country Club in Michigan City, Ind., underwent a clubhouse renovation in 2006, the club took the opportunity to improve accessibility and flow between its clubhouse and pool facilities.
The previous pool complex consisted of two pools that were not attached to the main clubhouse. Members and guests had to walk through a 100-foot grassy area to access the pool. In the renovation, the club added a playground area off the lower level of the clubhouse; members and guests can now access the pool by cutting through the playground. Members and guests can also access the pool from a parking lot located behind the pool complex. “It is all contiguous now,” says John Wendel, General Manager.
The pool facility at South Hills Country Club in Pittsburgh, Pa., was also designed to flow smoothly by utilizing multiple levels. Members and guests can enter the pool complex at the upper level, which is attached to the main clubhouse. The upper level is also home to a baby pool and playground, a snack bar, the pool bar and an oversized sundeck.
Stairs then lead down to a triple-tier terrace, designed in a step-like style with walls of flowers and landscaping between each tier. The stadium overlooks the pool and is set with glass-topped metal tables and umbrellas.
From the terraces, members and guests can reach the lower level, which houses an Olympic-sized pool, a large grassy area with chaise lounges, and the pool house with locker rooms. This inspired design and layout earned the club a renovations/retrofits honorable mention in Metal Architecture’s 2005 Design Award competition.
The unique pool layout is perfect for hosting the club’s swim meets, which draw large crowds (there are about 80 kids on the team). This year, the club will be hosting both regional and championship meets, bringing in members from as many as 24 other clubs in the area. “The pool is definitely a showcase item for us,” says Dan Wargo, Pool Manager and Swim Coach.
The pool is also a popular space for both private and club-wide events. Recently, the club hosted 500 people at the pool during this year’s Memorial Day buffet.
Destination Dining
Nothing works up an appetite more than a day of pool play, and successful pool operations offer more now than ice cream bars and hotdogs. In fact, poolside dining venues are becoming destinations for both pool-goers and non-pool patrons alike.
The Overlook Grill at Mount Vernon Country Club in Golden, Colo., was added during the club’s pool renovation in 2000. The club replaced its former pool snack bar with a full-service restaurant, complete with tableside service and a show kitchen.
Prior to the renovation, the pool snack bar was located in a courtyard area below the pool deck. This posed a number of operational challenges, such as difficulty in delivering food from the small upper-level kitchen. Parents were also not able to watch their children at the pool when they visited the snack bar. Now, the Overlook Grill is located on the pool deck with an outdoor patio that is furnished with casual, resin tables and chairs with umbrellas and an indoor dining room that can accommodate 50 people.
“The biggest change with moving the restaurant to the main level and the expanded facilities was in sales. We went from $20,000 per season in grill sales to $150,000 in grill sales,” says Peter Clampitt, Executive Manager.
The club also added a poolside bar that accommodates non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, as well as ice cream. The bar is covered for the bartenders and has six comfortable barstools for members.
Gaining AccessChanges to the New American Disabilities Act (ADA) were approved in the fall, to now require an accessible way to enter and exit public pools either by way of lift, sloped entry or a transfer system. Pools larger than 300 linear feet of swimming pool wall are required to have two accessible ways of entry. Spas are also required to have at least one accessible entry point, but a group of spas are not all required to be accessible if they are in a cluster. The regulation applies to new pools built after March or to pools that undergo major renovations and ADA regulations cover both public and private facilities. For more information, visit www.ada.gov or call the ADA information line at 800.514.0301. |
Prior to the renovation, the pool snack bar operated with just a walkup window. With the new dining facilities, however, members either order at their tables in the Overlook Grill, or at the bar.
“Before, most of the walkup service was for ice cream, so to alleviate some traffic, we added a walkup counter for ice cream at the bar,” says Clampitt. “It has helped immensely.”
The indoor seating has also helped to boost traffic to the pool area. Members and guests looking to escape the heat can opt to eat indoors, instead.
The club uses the space for private events and for its Kids Club, for which the club brings in entertainment like magicians and animal handlers once a month.
The casual, lively atmosphere of the Overlook Grill attracts plenty of non-pool members as well. “We have a large social membership that consists mostly of dining members, and they are welcome to use the Grill anytime,” says Clampitt.
H20 Plus
The pool renovation at Los Altos Golf & Country Club in Los Altos, Calif., transformed its pool complex into a one-stop recreation shop. Along with a lap pool, recreation pool and toddler splash pool, the club built a brand new, 3,800-sq.ft. Pool House, which houses a recreation room and a dining facility.
“This is one place where kids are welcomed and encouraged to spend time,” says Paula Provoznik, Facility and Aquatics Director. “They can be loud and burn off energy. Families can swim and hang out at the Pool House; they can stay here all day if they want.”
The Pool House was built to match the Spanish-style architecture and design of the clubhouse. The large building has wooden vaulted ceilings, stone flooring and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. An outdoor patio flows into an indoor rec room decorated in a California casual style, with cushioned teak furnishings and bright earth tones.
The Pool House has two high-definition televisions on each side. One side of the room has chairs and footstools surrounding a large fireplace, while the other side is set up with sofas, coffee tables and high-boy tables with bar stools. To the side of this area are a ping-pong table, a foosball table and an air hockey machine.
“In the summer, this is the place to be,” says Provoznik.
The Pool House can also be rented out for private events, such as teen parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and showers. The club also hosts sports nights, bridge tournaments and movie nights in the Pool House.
Focusing on the Family
When the Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich., was designing its new clubhouse three years ago, the goal was not to just be family-friendly, but family-centered. Everything within the clubhouse was designed around that concept. And it’s paid off; in the past three years, the club has taken in 400 new members, the majority of which are families.
Therefore, when the club began plans for its new pool, that same goal was put front and center. The club’s new pool complex attracts families both in and out of the water. The club has three different pools: a splash pool for parents and kids; a hot tub that comfortably seats 20 to 25 adults and overlooks the “million-dollar view” of the golf course; and the new, 25 yards-by-25 meters pool, with a state-of-the-art slide and diving boards.
“The biggest change is the splash area,” says Tom Messinger, Pool Director. “This makes the pool more family usable. The kids and parents love it. It is a tremendous area, and it’s packed all day long.”
Beyond the water, a 6,000-sq. ft. cabana houses locker rooms, family dressing rooms, a full kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining, and a teen room. The teen room features Xbox and Wii systems, ping pong tables and foosball tables.
“You want to give younger families more reasons to belong to the country club,” says Steve Pedersen, General Manager. “The more you can involve them in the operation, the more you can make the club a destination for the family.”
Adding Cool to the PoolWhile pool locker rooms don’t need to be as plush as those found within the clubhouse, a well-appointed, aquatic-friendly locker room can help to improve any pool operation. Here are some touches some properties now include:
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