WAUKEE, IA — RDG Planning & Design recently joined Waukee, Iowa, community members for the grand opening of the Waukee Community School District's new natatorium. The aquatic facility, designed by RDG, is set to serve the competition and training needs of two large high schools and the local community in Iowa's fastest-growing school district.
The Waukee High School and Waukee Northwest High School, with 1,268 and 1,325 students, respectively, have utilized the Waukee YMCA for their swimming programs. Recognizing the need for a dedicated facility, the district sought a design that would accommodate both teams equally now and into the future. RDG's design for the new natatorium leverages intentional and experiential circulation to move athletes to the desired performance space while directing spectators to viewing areas. The exterior vernacular is heavily influenced by movement and flow, using graphic expressions of an active water surface to hint at the facility's dynamic nature and cladding breaks from traditional orthogonal constraints to subtly reinforce the concept of motion.
“Our team prioritized the student-athlete experience to create a dynamic training and competition space,” said Blaine Perau, AIA, RDG Architect and Partner. “The success of this project was only achieved through the collaborative design process established with leaders from Waukee CSD. This facility was designed — with them and for them — to meet the community’s current and future needs, and we’re thrilled that the district trusted us to capture their vision.”
The 66,958-square-foot space features a 50-meter stretch and a 25-yard "fast water" competition pool that can simultaneously support two full 25-yard, eight-lane competitions. A 25-yard, four-lane warm-up pool also provides space for training and learn-to-swim programs. The project is a collaborative effort between several partners, including the City of Waukee, KCL Engineering (mechanical/electrical engineering), Bishop Engineering (civil engineering), Aquatic Design Group (pool design) and Henkel Construction (general contractor).
