Image courtesy of Artesia Aquatic Center
Building an aquatics facility to be used by sports tourism visitors and the community is an ambitious yet rewarding project. It can attract competitive swim teams, local athletes, leisure seekers, families, and sometimes even dogs. The wide range of guests drawn to an aquatic facility contributes significantly to local tourism and the economy. However, understanding the financial depths of such an investment is important for any developer or community considering building an aquatics facility. In this blog post, we’ll explore the cost of a typical aquatics venue, the components of those costs, and other items to consider that aren’t included in the estimate.
Diving Into the Cost
When we talk about developing an aquatics facility designed for sports tourism, we’re talking about a facility that would include one competition lap pool, one leisure/recreation pool, and a splash pad or playground with water features. A facility of this type typically falls within the $30.7 million to $37.5 million range. To break it down further, the cost per square foot ranges from $549-671. It’s crucial to understand that these figures cover only the construction and essential equipment costs. This estimate does not include expenses related to land acquisition and operational overheads of running the facility.
What You Are Paying For
Construction and Infrastructure: This foundational category includes the actual construction of pools, spectator areas, and additional infrastructure such as parking and accessibility features. High-end materials and state-of-the-art water treatment systems add to the look and functionality of the venue but can significantly drive up costs.
Equipment: From professional-grade starting blocks and timing systems for the competition pool to fun, durable features for the leisure pool and splash zones, equipment is a hefty line item on the budget. While the starting blocks and timing systems will take a lion’s share of this category, they are crucial aspects for any teams or event owners looking to use the pool for practice, tournaments, and events.
Design and Aesthetics: Creating a space that is functional for competitive events and appealing and enjoyable for visiting families involves careful, often costly, design planning.
Other Costs
While the focus here is on the initial investment required to bring the aquatics facility to life, investors and planners need to consider the other costs involved in a project like this:
Land Acquisition: The cost and process of securing a suitable location for the facility are critical and can vary widely depending on geographic location, topography, and market conditions.
Operational Costs: Staffing, maintenance, energy consumption, and other ongoing expenses need to be factored into the long-term financial planning of the facility. While the costs are unavoidable, the actual operations of the facility can be handed off to a company that specializes in those areas, for instance… us.
Building an aquatics facility tailored for sports tourism is undoubtedly a significant financial endeavor, but one that can pay dividends in promoting active lifestyles, water safety, boosting local economies, and putting communities on the map for national competitions. By carefully navigating the financial currents—from construction and equipment costs to planning for ongoing operations—developers can create a valuable community asset that makes waves for years to come. If you have any questions or require assistance at any stage of the project, feel free to contact us, or give us a call at (727) 474-3845.
