2024 Texas & Louisiana Best Projects
Best K-12 Education — Dallas College Natatorium
Photo by Versatile Imaging Inc.
DALLAS COLLEGE NATATORIUM
Mesquite, Texas
BEST PROJECT
Submitted by: Lee Lewis Construction Inc.
OWNER Mesquite Independent School District
LEAD DESIGN FIRM WRA Architects Inc.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR Lee Lewis Construction Inc.
CIVIL ENGINEER RLK Engineering
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Ponce Fuess Engineering
MEP ENGINEER Reed, Wells, Benson & Co.
ARCHITECT/POOL DESIGNER ETC Architects & Engineers
An old aquatic center originally built in the 1970s featured an outdoor recreational pool and was in need of an upgrade. Meanwhile, the Mesquite Independent School District was in need of a competition pool, and at the same time the city of Mesquite, Texas, wanted a recreation pool. The result is this $9.7-million project, a partnership between the city of Mesquite, Mesquite ISD and Dallas College to create a state-of-the-art swimming facility for the community.
The pool, ranging in depth from 3.6 ft to 12.5 ft, can now be used on two axes, with six 25-meter lanes on one axis and a new addition of eight 25-yd lanes on the other axis, thereby accommodating both students and athletes for training and competitions. There is also a shallow depth area for teaching life-saving swimming skills.
A competition-ready Myrtha gutter system was installed, thereby increasing performance standards and giving the pool a sleek appearance.
The Myrtha RenovAction technology made it possible to renovate the existing pool structure that was not demolished, avoiding long lead times and extra costs associated with building from scratch.
Photo by Versatile Imaging Inc.
The 13,580-sq-ft natatorium also features a transparent OpenAire aluminum structure, allowing for year-round usage. This design enables the enclosure to open during good weather, providing an outdoor pool experience.
Due to scheduling constraints, the building had to be erected before the pool was completed. The OpenAire building took three months to install and had to be placed on finished concrete.
Concrete strips were placed for the support columns, requiring additional engineering, rebar and time. The pool and deck were completed after the preengineered building was in place, which created a tight workspace. Two sections of walls were left open for equipment and materials to pass through and had to be closed later.
Photo by Versatile Imaging Inc.
Before installing the foundation for the mechanical yard, the project team discovered a 6-in. sanitary sewer line serving the existing locker rooms that conflicted with the new piers. The sewer line had to be relocated overnight to maintain service.
Two months before project completion, the pool was vandalized. Acetone and fuel were poured into the pool and sprayed with a fire extinguisher, staining the pool liner and causing it to bubble up, resulting in $40,000 worth of damage.
Since the pool liner was sourced from Italy, there was no time to order a new one. Fortunately, due to the contractor’s strong relationship with Myrtha Pools, the supplier was able to pull stock from other projects.
Despite this setback, contractor Lee Lewis Construction was able to complete the natatorium under budget and on schedule in January 2024.
Upon completion, the Mayor of Mesquite, Daniel Alemán Jr., remarked, “We are truly grateful for the incredible partnerships the city has with the school district and with Dallas College at Eastfield. The natatorium is the direct result of the spirit of our partnership.”
