The newest aquatics center in the region opened in Bolivar, MO at the beginning of July. The $5.5 million addition to the Roy Blunt YMCA, also designed by Butler, Rosenbury & Partners several years ago, is a year-round swimming attraction giving patrons the opportunity to swim “outside” due to the unique OpenAire glass enclosure featuring a retractable roof.
The center is a joint City of Bolivar/YMCA effort. The YMCA operates the facility, the construction of which was funded by a sales tax approved by the municipality. Wirt-Flavin Construction Company was the design build contractor with BR&P as the architect, and Westport Pools collaborated in the design of the pools and provided the aquatics construction effort.
The Bolivar Aqua Zone has fun features for the entire family including:
A six lane, 25-yard competitive lap pool
Rock climbing wall
Separate leisure pool with several Vortex play and spray elements and basketball goals
An internal/external slide
Zero depth pool entry
Snack bar
Guest viewing areas
Two multi-purpose rooms round out this facility, making it a one-of-a-kind community center.
Primary colors emphasize major elements of the facility within the white aluminum and glass structure: a blue slide and climbing wall, red columns and stairs for the slide and yellow mechanical duct socks.
This Fall another state-of-the-art aquatics facility designed by BR&P opens in southwest Missouri at the new Monett YMCA. “The Monett and Bolivar YMCAs are among the largest play feature and competitive pool combination indoor aquatics facilities at YMCAs anywhere,” says Gordon Brown, Executive Director, Monett Area YMCA.
Take a closer look at the Bolivar Aqua Zone through these aerial construction photos from the City of Bolivar, showing the project from start to finish!