Facility Information

Swimming and leisure pools, including the buildings in which they are found, require considerable investment to design, build and operate. The aquatic facility must operate continuously; often 24hrs a day over 365 days a year.  The pool and the building are under stringent health and safety requirements to ensure safe, supervised use. Pools have high energy needs in operation and must be carefully designed for energy conservation. They contain aggressive chemicals in moisture-laden atmospheres which require thoughtful design, high quality materials, plant and equipment considerations and well qualified staff. The full environmental impact of such buildings through their life cycle should be considered.

Pools are used for training in the recognized aquatic sports of diving, water polo, swimming and artistic swimming (formerly synchronized swimming).  Other sports require aquatic facilities for training including paddling, scuba diving and triathlon to name a few.  New sports are also evolving such as underwater hockey and Lifesaving sport. All of these sports contribute to physical and mental well-being; the development of life-long skills and national pride.

Key to the success of these sports are the organizations that own, operate and fund facilities. Together we all have a stake in the management and sustainability of our aquatic infrastructure and the facilities we share.