Lenexa, Kansas
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The Shawnee Mission School District’s (SMSD) wanted to create an aquatics facility for the entire Midwest region. To accomplish their goal, they partnered with the City of Lenexa and Johnson County Parks & Recreation (JCPRD). Their original plan was to house the aquatic center at one of their high schools and manage it internally. However, the City of Lenexa offered the District a prime piece of property for free in its new City Center development. Then, JCPRD joined the team when the inflatable dome over their pool was damaged beyond repair in a storm. This collaboration allows JCPRD to have a new permanent facility for their programs, and they can act as operator, saving the district resources.
The completed Aquatic Center’s design reflects the purpose of the building. The curvilinear roof evokes water in motion. The exterior skin is a combination of concrete structural panels, large expanses of glazing that tilt outward, and multi-colored metal panels that all create a sense of flow.
The SMSD Aquatic Center measures 54,341 SF and includes a 50-meter, 8-lane competition pool with two movable bulkheads to allow numerous course layouts. The pool also includes a 12’-6” diving well that supports 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards. A 25-yard, 4-lane warm water instructional pool has a movable floor that adjusts from seven feet to zero inches to allow for a variety of programs.
Spectators have tremendous sight lines from the raised bleacher area with seating for 1,000 people. Additionally, the viewing mezzanine provides space for another 200 observers to overlook the pool in a climate-controlled environment. There is also dedicated seating behind the diving boards for 300+ swimmers, and additional portable bleachers can be placed between the pools to handle even larger crowds.
The completed Aquatics Center acts as an anchor for Lenexa’s City Center development, bringing thousands of visitors to the area each year. With it, the District, JCPRD, and the City can host large aquatics competitions and other public health and wellness programs, bringing a variety of visitors to Lenexa.
Photos by: Duane Cash & Matt Kocourek Photography
Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center
Lenexa, Kansas
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The partnership between the School District, the City of Lenexa, and Johnson County Parks & Recreation made this project unique. Working with all parties, ACI Boland designed the building to accommodate everyone’s needs.
The District’s original plan was to house the aquatic center at one of its high schools and manage it internally, however the City of Lenexa offered a prime piece of property for free in its new City Center development. The District and City also decided to split the cost of a 200-car parking garage. In return, the building anchors the city’s new municipal square and creates additional structured parking spaces.
The inflatable dome over the Johnson County Parks & Rec pool was damaged beyond repair in a recent storm so they were lacking the necessary facilities. By partnering with the city and Shawnee Mission School District to build the aquatic center they have a new permanent facility for their programs and can act as operator which saves the district resources.
Design elements, such as the shape of the roof and lighting, were strongly influenced by water. Spectators have tremendous site lines from the raised bleacher area with seating for 1,000 people. In addition, the viewing mezzanine provides space for another 200 observers to overlook the pool in a climate-controlled environment for those that may not be able to tolerate the pool environment.
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