Holland Aquatic Center has moved another step closer toward the total completion of its two-year, $26.3 million renovation and expansion project. Its newest pool – a 25-yard, five-lane multipurpose pool – is now open and operational for HAC programming use.
Amanda Duimstra, HAC’s general manager, says this new pool was intentionally designed as a versatile water space, “capable of many uses for whatever is needed, when we need it.”
“This additional pool gives us great flexibility and supports all areas of our aquatic operations,” Duimstra continues. “It can be used by both MLA (Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics) teams (swim and dive) since it has starting blocks and a diving well with two one-meter diving boards. It was designed for lanes to run both ways so it can be used for either lap swim or our swim school program. Since it has both deep and shallow water, it can be used for different types of wellness classes. And during our busiest times, such as holiday breaks, it can be used for Family Splash, too.”
“Really, we have so many options because of this new pool.”
Amanda Duimstra, general manager
The multipurpose pool holds 156,000 gallons of water, making a total of 1.3 million gallons in all nine of HAC’s pools. It is located next to HAC’s 50-meter competition pool. With large windows facing the north, the area is enhanced by natural light, and a wet water corridor to the south connects it with HAC’s other aquatic areas, such as the instructional pool, Warm Water Zone, and Splash Zone.
Additionally, on the upper level directly above this new pool, new spectator seating has been constructed to accommodate an additional 200 more people to watch the many swim meets HAC hosts for high schools, colleges and universities, and club teams.
The multipurpose pool is part of the last phase in HAC’s $26.3 million expansion and renovation project which began in the spring of 2020 and is taxpayer-supported. Several areas opened to the public in early February 2022 such as an expanded fitness area, indoor walking track, warm-water zone, steam room, sauna, spa, and Splash Zone.
The new second-floor fitness area features a wellness room, a variety of exercise equipment and an indoor track measuring one-tenth of a mile and overlooking the surrounding community and pools below. The warm-water zone includes a warm-water lap pool, sauna, steam room and large, quadrantal hot tub. The family-friendly Splash Zone consists of a three-story indoor slide, a lazy river area, zero-entry wading pool and another large pool area for aquatic play.
Also completed in February were Holland Aquatic Center’s expanded lobby and universal change area.
The lobby, wellness room and indoor track were all funded by $3 million in donations made to the HAC Foundation.
The full completion of HAC’s renovation and expansion project is expected by the end of 2022. The front entrance canopy and mechanical system upgrades are still in progress.