Following a groundbreaking ceremony held on April 2, Pinkard Construction is set to begin work on the long-awaited aquatics expansion at Evergreen’s Buchanan Park Recreation Center.
Returning to the same facility Pinkard first built back in 2003, the new $11 M addition for Evergreen Park and Recreation District (EPRD) will add a new multi-use indoor pool that connects to the existing natatorium.
Designed to be a community asset for all, the pool will feature an over-water climbing wall, a rope swing, and a diving board. As the new home for Evergreen High School swim teams and Evergreen Hurricanes swim program, the pool will accommodate eight lanes and a competition-level timing system.
Designed by EV Studio in partnership with aquatics specialists Counsilman-Hunsaker, the natatorium will feature three garage doors that can be opened to provide the outdoor pool experience. Though connected to the current natatorium, it will have its own entrance, bathrooms and changing area, and independent mechanical and storage rooms.
With preliminary sitework already underway, full construction activities are scheduled to begin in May and expected to take eight to 10 months. The construction plan was carefully designed to allow the rest of the recreation center to safely remain fully operational throughout the project, with only a minimal shutdown of the main natatorium planned for final punch through and connection of the spaces.
To get the project shovel-ready within EPRD’s budgeting constraints, Pinkard’s preconstruction team worked tirelessly with the owner and architect to find creative solutions that saved the project money without affecting the size or depth of the new pool, and without making any compromises to the overall programming goals or community end-user experience.
Value engineering solutions included adjusting the roof design and mechanical systems. To save time in the schedule, the project will utilize a state-of-the-art Myrtha pool shell, which is prefabricated in Italy and assembled on site.
With a long history of recreation and pool work, aquatics renovations and additions like Buchanan are an increasing specialty for Pinkard Construction, which recently completed a comprehensive pool replacement at Broomfield’s Bay Aquatic Park – another existing facility that the general contractor originally built decades prior.
“It is truly a privilege to return to Buchanan Park and expand upon the beautiful facility we first built over twenty years ago to meet the growing needs of the community,” says Pinkard President Tony Burke. “We thrive on partnering with passionate and involved local government agencies like Evergreen Park and Recreation District, and are equally pleased to be teaming with a highly collaborative architect like EVstudio.”
“We are excited to have Pinkard Construction partnering with EPRD to build this state-of-the-art pool in Buchanan Park, allowing us to sunset our 50+ year old swimming pool at Wulf Rec Center,” says EPRD Executive Director Cory Vander Veen. “The Pinkard team has a wealth of knowledge building pools around Colorado, and we appreciate their ability to be innovative with budget and construction constraints.”
