Luther College Aquatic Center

Infusing Technology and Design

The modern facility supports Luther College's nationally ranked swimming and diving programs. Features of the facility include

• a state-of-the-art timing system
• a large LED score board
• space for 280 spectators
• a shallow area used for swim lessons and classes such as water aerobics

In addition to bolstering academics and recruitment, the facility allows Luther College to offer more programs for the Decorah community.

We incorporated advanced technology into the pool, including:

• a more sustainable filtration system for the 473,000-gallon capacity pool to save water and reduce costs
• a soft water landing system in the diving pool, which pumps air into a trench at the bottom of the pool creating bubbles beneath the springboards that provide a softer landing when divers hit the water during practice and reduces injuries and helps them master new dives faster
• Myrtha technology – a quick-to-install laminated steel panels that create a watertight pool vessel—to ensure an extremely long life

The precast exterior includes several five-foot-wide by 12-foot-tall windows that bring in natural light and provide views of the surrounding bluffs. The interior consists of precast and block walls with acoustical panels to control noise.

Flexibility to Meet Needs

Throughout the process, we worked closely with Luther College to ensure that all needs and requirements were being met in both the design and during the construction phase. In response to Luther's desire to have a fast competition pool, our team studied and reviewed various design options and pool types with College representatives.

Because the new aquatic center was an addition to the Regent's Center, which houses a gymnasium, fitness center and field house, we needed to accommodate the ongoing swim season during construction. We coordinated schedules to work around an existing pool in the Regent's Center, adjacent to where the new pool was being constructed, until the swim season was complete (more than six months into construction). We then drained and filled the old pool to create a new multi-use court in its place.

Through a strong partnership with Luther College and our construction project management experience, the facility was completed in just one year, whereas many similar facilities take a year and a half to complete, and it was delivered on budget.