The facility was built across three phases in the original building’s parking lot so competitive and recreational programs could continue during construction before the old facility’s demolition.

Made possible with a three-way partnership among the city of Arvada, Jeffco Public Schools and the Apex Park and Recreation District, the 50,000-sq-ft aquatics center features a 10-lane, 50-meter by 25-yd competition pool with two movable bulkheads, a four-lane 25-yd auxiliary pool, on-deck seating, concrete platforms for springboard and platform diving and a spectator seating area.

Photo courtesy The Unfound Door

The competition pool’s Italian Myrtha Pool system marked the first use of its stacked panel design globally. A state-of-the-art timing system in the pool deck also relays information to a live scoreboard during competitions.

The building’s exterior features a blend of brick veneer, metal panels, curtain wall and an exterior insulation finishing system, while striking blue and green glass curtain walls mirror the colors of the water, creating a dynamic, immersive experience. Accessibility and inclusivity are key elements. Universal changing rooms offer privacy, and locker rooms are thoughtfully designed for all, including those with disabilities.

This LEED Silver-certified facility is a two-story tall precast concrete structure with vaulted ceilings. Each precast panel weighed 75,000 lb and required tremendous coordination to move onto the jobsite in one piece before a 350-ton crane erected them into place. Some of the panels were installed later in the schedule to allow a dirt telebelt extending 166 ft to backfill the pool deck with 4,000 yd of pea gravel.

Photo courtesy The Unfound Door

Once the structure was standing, a dance floor scaffold system was built on the pool deck to the ceiling. A large upper platform allowed crews to complete all overhead work.

The original pool, which sat just 50 ft from the new building’s front door, remained in use until demolition was scheduled. With an elementary school located adjacent to the site, crews took extra care to maintain clear sidewalks and street access during school drop-offs and pickups.

A solid barrier separated the construction area from school grounds, and strict protocols were enforced to prevent construction workers from entering school property at any time. After 16 months and 47,210 work hours, the project was delivered with no lost-time or recordable incidents.

The pool was filled to its 1-million-gallon capacity in August 2024. During the one-month commissioning process that followed, every system, from water filtration to heating, was tested and adjusted to ensure both performance and safety. Despite the project’s challenges, the work was completed on time and within budget in October 2024.