Aquaventures Swim Centre

In late 2019, Aquaventures Swim School approached hcma looking to relocate their programs into a new two-storey facility that would better accommodate the growing needs and size of their community. The proposed new site? An existing 1950s concrete retail/office building with no existing aquatic infrastructure multiple other tenants.

The program outlined a need for two state-of-the-art pools, an oversized universal washroom and changeroom area, front lobby and reception, and a layout that would successfully connect the public support spaces on the main floor with the aquatics area on the lower level. However, the facility lacked the infrastructure and through-level passage to make this vision of an interconnected community hub come to life within the original framework of the space.

hcma strategically navigated a complete retrofit of the unit to outfit the basement with two partially above-ground Myrtha^TM pools. This solution cleverly repositioned the challenge of not being able to excavate to the depth necessary for a fully in-ground installation into an opportunity for a bench-topped ledge that would enrich the family experience without compromising on pool functionality. To connect the otherwise isolated upper and lower areas of the unit, we designed a new main concrete stairwell by way of removing a large area of the existing structural floor and opening both levels to one another.