Originally published in Athletic Business: https://www.athleticbusiness.com/project-galleries/aquatic-design-portfolio/mrzzaXBYP1/scott-carpenter-park- and-pool-boulder-co

Scott Carpenter Park and Pool is a community park that provides a wide variety of recreational facilities including swimming pools, a skate park, an open turf field, diamond fields and a space-themed playground in honor of the park’s namesake and former Boulder resident, astronaut Scott Carpenter.

Over the past several years the pool facilities have undergone a major renovation and transformation into what was desired most by the community, user groups and stakeholders. The design team was tasked with creating an iconic, state-of-the-art facility that promotes inclusiveness, accessibility, sustainability and durability, while honoring and nurturing the existing mature trees and established astronaut theme. The renovated facility includes a new 50-meter outdoor pool, a double waterslide tower, an 8,000-square-foot recreation pool that includes a diving board, a jumping platform, a drop slide, a climbing wall, a lazy river, a zero-depth entry, a space-themed water play feature and a 2,000-square-foot splash pad featuring a 20-foot-tall rocket ship.

The heavily renovated bathhouse features durable materials alongside the existing preserved historic brick, an accessible design for all ages, and an undulating curved blue roof mimicking water waves to welcome visitors.

Construction Cost: $14.8 million
Area / Square Feet: 7,500 (bathhouse) 18 acres (site) Occupancy Date: August 2020