WTI teamed up with Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, Hight-Jackson Associates and Ballard*King & Associates for the completion of a comprehensive feasibility study and programming plan for the future multi-purpose community recreation center in Bentonville. WTI was responsible for the planning, design and engineering of the aquatics portion, which consists of three pools and a body slide with a deceleration runout.

The three pools desired by the community, as determined through public input, include a warm water leisure and program pool, a competition pool and a whirlpool. The competition pool and whirlpool are housed separately from the leisure and program pool, using a transparent building wall to make it easy to phase out these amenities. This wall also creates the opportunity for energy savings with different water and air temperatures while allowing each pool to operate independently.

Features that will enhance operations and access include underwater pool lights, easily accessible stairs in water less than four feet, in-wall steps or a combination of all of these.

Swimming ranks highly among all ages as a recreational activity. Combining competitive and leisure components into one facility helps create a partnership that includes a full spectrum of activities that complement each other.

The $14 million, 78,000-square-foot Bentonville Community Center celebrated one million visitors in November 2017, just a few years after they opened their doors. WTI was proud to be part of a successful project that acts as a catalyst for recreation in the community.