City of Bloomington - O'Neil Park and Pool
Williams Architects · Bloomington, IL
Overview
Recognizing the facility's significance to the community, the Owner approved replacing the facility with a new, state- of-the-art aquatics facility. To ensure the community's voice was heard in the process, an intensive one-day charrette was conducted to gather public input and develop conceptual plans. Sited in place of the previous pool, the new facility features a modern bathhouse, 8-lane lap/diving pool, zero-depth entry activity pool, lazy river, plunge pool, water slides, and concessions deck.
After 45 years of service, the existing pool had outlived its operational lifespan by two decades and needed constant repair to maintain operation. Recognizing its significance to the community, the Owner approved one of its largest infrastructure projects yet to replace the aging facility with a new, state-of-the-art aquatics facility. To ensure the community's voice was heard in the process, the Owner and Architect conducted an intensive one-day charrette to gather public input and develop conceptual plans that highlighted the needs of the surrounding community. Sited in place of the previous aquatics park, the new facility features a new modern bathhouse, filter building, 8-lane lap/diving pool, activity pool with a zero-depth entry, lazy river, plunge pool, water slide tower, and concessions deck. Additionally, the greater Park now boasts several new amenities as part of the project, including a spray park and a skate park; further enhancing the recreational offerings at the park. The success of the project is further bolstered by an endowment that grants low-income families access to the facilities at complimentary or reduced rates. Further development is planned for the park as well, with intentions to incorporate a Dog Park, new ball fields, tennis/pickleball courts as well as playgrounds as part of the master plan.
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