AQUATIC feasibility study

214 Pages·2011·9.61 MB·English

A Q U A T I C
f e a s i b i l i t y s t u d y
CITY OF EASTON
P E N N S Y L V A N I A
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City of Easton AQUATIC FEASIBILITY STUDY
PENNSYLVANIA Acknowlegdements
Study Group
Dr. Elinor Warner – Easton City Council
David Hopkins – Director of Public Works, The City of Easton
Carl Schumacher – Retired Recreation Coordinator, The City of Easton
Joan Shafer – Executive Director, Third Street Alliance
Lorraine Hendreshot – Resident
Ed Black – Swim Coach
Colleen Laberteaux – The Family YMCA of Easton/Phillipsburg and Vicinity
The City of Easton
One South Third Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.easton-pa.com
Planning Team
Dan Harrigan, AIA Spillman Farmer Architects
Randy Galiotto, Assoc. AIA Spillman Farmer Architects
Ted Wallover, AIA Wallover Architects incorporated
Susan Wallover Wallover Architects incorporated
Angela Hammer, M.A. Wallover Architects incorporated
Holly Murphy Wallover Architects incorporated
Spillman Farmer Architects
One Bethlehem Plaza Suite 1000
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.spillmanfarmer.com
Wallover Architects incorporated
Recreation Planning Associates
941 Wheatland Avenue, Suite 304
Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.walloverarchitects.com
This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships
Program, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Environmental Stewardship Fund,
under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
 Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
City of Easton
PENNSYLVANIA
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City of Easton AQUATIC FEASIBILITY STUDY
PENNSYLVANIA Table of Contents
Acknowledgements 1
Executive Summary 5
Part I Study Team 9
I. Spillman Farmer Architects 9
II. Wallover Architects, Incorporated 10
Part II Programming Study 13
I. History 13
II. Demographics 14
III. Public Participation 18
IV. Program Overview and Analysis 20
V. Program Recommendations 22
VI. Facility Management Overview and Analysis 28
VII. Facility Management Recommendations 39
VIII. Financial Development Management Recommendations 43
IX. Case Studies 46
X. Recommendations Worksheets 47
XI. Report Summary 49
XII. 2008 Update 52
Part III Facilities Conditions Study 54
I. Heil Facility 55
II. Eddyside Facility 65
III. Technologies for Swimming Pool Construction 73
IV. Code Compliance & Disabled Accessibility (ADA) Issues 85
V. Maintenance 86
VI. Concept Plans 88
VII. Present Priorities 98
VIII. Pool Staff 99
Part IV Appendicies 101
Appendix 1 – Study Group Interview Responses 101
Appendix 2 – Sample Pool Program and Budget 103
Appendix 3 – Sample Long Range Planning Program 107
Appendix 4 – Concession Operations Guidelines 108
Appendix 5 – Facility Management Options 110
Appendix 6 – Strategy for Aquatic Staff Recruitment,
Retention, Training, and Rewards 113
Appendix 7 – Funding Opportunities 115
Appendix 8 – Fundraising Programs 116
Appendix 9 – Case Study Comparison Facilities 117
Appendix 10 – Recommendations Worksheet 119
Appendix 11 – Riverfront Development and Risk Management 121
Appendix 12 – Additional Programming Concepts 126
Appendix 13 – Heil Pool Photographs 128
Appendix 14 – Eddyside Pool Photographs 173

Appendix 15 – Heil Pool Concepts C and D 212
City of Easton
PENNSYLVANIA
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City of Easton AQUATIC FEASIBILITY STUDY
PENNSYLVANIA Executive Summary
This feasibility study has been prepared as a “snapshot in time” to identify the renovations
needed for The city of Easton’s two swimming pool facilities, Eddyside and Heil. In addition,
this study also provides analyses and recommendations for the management and operations
of both swimming pools.
Eddyside Park was dedicated in 1959 offering recreation to the community. Initally, the
Delaware River provided swimming opportunities at the park. In light of this, a bathhouse
was constructed in 1971 which led to a 25 meter pool being constructed in 1991 and a tot
pool being constructed in 1999. Subsequently, during the 1991 construction the bathhouse
was repainted, made ADA accessible and the 25 meter pool was re-plastered.
Heil Pool was constructed in 1960 and has been renovated several times since, including re-
plastering of the pool, adding a new stainless steel gutter system, an ADA ramp, a retaining
wall and modifications to the existing bathhouse for ADA accessibility.
Until 2007 both pools were managed and operated by the City of Easton. Due to financial
and human resource constraints the City established a partnership with The Family YMCA
of Easton, Phillipsburg and Vicinity. The YMCA currently manages and operates the two
pools and provides swim lessons.
WALLOVER ARCHITECTS incorporated (WAi) in conjunction with SPILLMAN
FARMER ARCHITECTS (SFA) developed a plan for the feasibility study which included,
but was not limited to, key-person interviews, case studies, site visitations and analyses, and
numerous meetings with the Study Group. Public meetings provided the opportunity for
the community to present their opinions about the pools. The community values both pools
and there is a strong desire to keep both pools open. Both pools have a family atmosphere;
the Eddyside Pool draws more single adult memberships while the Heil Pool draws more
children.
The following table highlights the facility recommendations for each individual site with
associated costs (estimated). The major management and operational recommendations
apply to both facilities for use by all parties involved in the management and operation of
each facility. The consultants have imparted their expertise through the recommendations
of this study. The city must carefully select the options that best balance available funding
with public safety, functional and code compliant issues with the current trends toward more
inter-active features (in and around the pool) that attract more patrons to the pools.

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City of Easton AQUATIC FEASIBILITY STUDY City of Easton
PENNSYLVANIA Executive Summary PENNSYLVANIA
EDDYSIDE POOL
RENOVATIONS GOAL OBJECITIVES TIME
LINE
Create a smooth pool Re-plaster tot pool 1-3
floor Years
Patch, Acid wash & Paint 1 Year
Create safe beach Non slip 1x1 Ceramic Tile 1-3
access at tot pool Years
Patch, Acid wash & Paint 1 Year
Control joint repair at tot Repair control joint with ceramic 1-3
pool tile finish Years
Caulking 1Year
MANAGEMENT Create advisory pool Identify potential key people to
& OPERATIONS board serve
Both Facilities Recruitvolunteers
Develop long range plan Identify and prioritize most 1 Year
for implementing physical crucial needs for physical
and program changes enhancements
Identify community need for 1 Year
programs based on safety and
over-all health and well being
Develop programs to Examine what is being done at 1 Year
create revenue and competing pools
profits
Identify what fee community can 1 Year
pay
Create a capital Propose and gain City legislative 1 Year
improvements fund support
Develop a written process and 1 Year
procedure for funds to be saved
Monies to be ear-marked for
specific enhancements
Staff Development Improve training techniques for
lifeguards and all pool staff
Further develop job positions and
responsibilities
Review pool operational As
procedures needed
(cid:3)

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City of Easton AQUATIC FEASIBILITY STUDY
PENNSYLVANIA Executive Summary
HEIL POOL
RENOVATIONS GOAL OBJECTIVES TIME
LINE
Replace decking Reinforce concrete 1-3
around pool decking around entire Years
pool
Patching at deficient spots 1 Year
Re-plaster entire Safe pool finish for 1-3
pool patrons Years
Patch, acid wash & Paint 1 Year
Pool to be ADA Construct ADA ramp at 1-3
accessible shallow end Years
Service and use ADA 1 Year
chair lift
MANAGEMENT Staff Development Conduct meaningful staff monthly
& OPERATIONS Both facilities meetings
Both Facilities Consistent enforcement of daily
pool rules
Review first aid monthly
procedures with staff
Review emergency action monthly
plan with staff
(cid:3)
The combination of facility and aesthetic improvements combined with administration
development and recreation planning, the City of Easton will be on a path to better manage
the City pools and provide programs and services to the community.

City of Easton
PENNSYLVANIA
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City of Easton AQUATIC FEASIBILITY STUDY
PENNSYLVANIA Part I: Study Team
I. SPILLMAN FARMER ARCHITECTS
Spillman Farmer Architects, based in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, is a mid-sized, multi-
disciplined architectural firm with clients in the municipal, educational, healthcare, and
commercial fields. Founded in 1927, the firm today comprises 35 employees including 17
registered architects, 6 LEED® accredited professionals, a certified interior designer, and a
certified construction specifier.
For 80 years, Spillman Farmer Architects has provided a broad range of architectural and
engineering services throughout the Lehigh Valley and Eastern Pennsylvania. Over the past
two decades, the firm has developed a strong reputation for athletic, fitness, and recreation
planning architecture. From this experience, Spillman Farmer Architects offers the long-
range “big picture” view of athletic master planning as well as the nuts-and-bolts experience
in design and construction to assist clients in developing feasible renovation programs.
The Principal in Charge of the Aquatic Feasbility Study for The City of Easton is Daniel Har-
rigan AIA, NCARB. Dan brings first-hand knowledge of aquatic facilities from his experi-
ence designing many local and regional pools including the Rodale Aquatic Center at Cedar
Crest College, the award-winning Aquatic Center at KidsPeace, and the Suburban Swim
Center in Newtown Pennsylvania. Notably, Dan also brings first-hand knowledge of aquatic
facilities from his experience as a youth swimming coach and an Olympic medal winner in
swimming while at North Carolina State University.
Aquatic and Athletic Facility Planning
BethWorks Aquatic Center, Bethlehem PA
YMCA of Bethlehem Renovation Master Plan
YMCA of Easton Feasibility Study
DeSales University Athletics Master Plan
Moravian College Athletics Master Plan
Muhlenberg College LifeSports Addition and Renovation Plan
Susquehanna University Campus & Athletic Master Plan
Aquatic and Athletic Facility Design
East Stroudsburg University Student Recreation Center
Lehigh University Goodman Stadium and Ulrich Fields
Muhlenberg College LifeSports Complex
Oberlin College Track and Field House
Shippensburg University Student Recreation Center
Susquehanna University James W. Garrett Sports & Fitness Complex
Washington College Stadium
Cedar Crest College Rodale Aquatic Center
KidsPeace Therapeutic Recreation Center
KidsPeace Aquatic Center
YMCA of Bethlehem Renovations Master Plan
YMCA of Easton & Phillipsburg Addition and Renovations
YMCA of Boyertown

Suburban Swim Center