Mission Aquatic Center

Mission, Kansas

Modernized aquatic center that fits within the footprint of a former pool complex

The SFS team conducted forums and a citizen survey to acquire public opinion and direction for a renovated or new municipal aquatic facility. In order to educate and raise awareness of the citizens and project stakeholders, SFS prepared materials that covered issues with the existing pool and trends in municipal aquatic facilities, including lap pools, water slides, lazy rivers, play features, spray grounds, shade structures and unique interactive features.

Using information collected from the survey and key person interviews, SFS evaluated numerous sites and developed alternative options for meeting community needs, including land and parking requirements, associated cost estimates and operational pro formas. Working closely with project stakeholders, the SFS team recommended the site, type of facility and aquatic features that would best serve the community. The information generated during the study was utilized by the City in a community information campaign which resulted in voter approval to fund the project.

Following voter approval, SFS, working in a design-build partnership, developed design concepts where the center fits within the footprint of the existing pool complex. The transformed aquatic center features a 25-meter competition pool with bleachers, new leisure pool with zero-depth entry and interactive water features, flume water slide, sprayground, re-purposed bath house and new filter building. In its inaugural season, the aquatic center opened to rave reviews – doubling its attendance over the previous year in the first two months of summer.