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The City of Fairfield, California, has opened a beautiful aquatic center featuring an OpenAire retractable roof. Built to replace an outdated outdoor pool, the new Allan Witt Aquatic Complex allows area families an enviable indoor/outdoor swimming experience; the roof opens up when the weather is good to take advantage of fresh air and sunlight, and closes on cold, windy or rainy days so area residents can still enjoy their swim.
The old facility, built in the 1950’s, had become so run down that it was closed in 2003. Stafford King Weise Architects were brought in to renovate the swim complex and incorporate three new pools and support facilities. Their mandate was to create a modern, multi-functional center that would bring families back to the community park and allow the City to offer enhanced facilities to its residents. They worked in partnership with The Aquatic Development Group, based in Carlsbad, CA, who designed and built the pool area and the structures within the pool area.
The Aquatic Development Group suggested OpenAire to design and manufacture the retractable enclosure for an area with a six-lane, all-s
eason pool, two towering waterslides, a playground set in knee-deep water and a wet play area with water toys.
The enclosure features a retractable roof system made of glass and polycarbonate panels. A full 40% of the roof retracts, and 70’ of bi-folding glass doors open an entire corner of the activity pool area to an additional outdoor aquatic area. The entire structure is designed to improve air quality and ventilation, maximize natural light, and let in fresh air when open.
“It’s a gem to look at,” says
Rich Abbott, Architect, Stafford King Wiese. “And the flexibility of being able to use it year-round has made a huge difference, too.”
With the new facility, the City of Fairfield is now able to provide a significantly expanded aquatic program, allowing for water aerobics and lap swimming in colder months. The goal of the center is to create a comfortable, fun, revenue-generating place for various classes from swimming to scuba diving and provide space for parties and events year-round. By covering their pool with the OpenAire structure, that goal has been accomplished – with improved
attendance, consistently full lap swim sessions and positive comments from patrons – the facility is a resounding success.
About OpenAire
OpenAire has been designing and manufacturing beautiful, high-quality retractable roof enclosures and skylights for over 20 years. Their projects include the LEED Gold certified Salinas Aquatic Center in Salinas, California, Roseville’s Central Park Indoor Pool, the Americana Indoor Water Park in Niagara Falls, Canada, Big Splash Island in French Lick, Indiana, the Palms Casino & Resort in Las Vegas and the world’s largest indoor waterpark with a retractable aluminum dome in Ukraine. By combining your unique vision with OpenAire’s expertise, incredible venues are a reality.