In December, Forest Hills Public Schools marked an important milestone with the groundbreaking of its new Aquatic Center. Made possible through the community’s approval of the district’s $340 million 2023 bond, the Aquatic Center emerged from a districtwide planning and engagement process.

Project Visioning + Planning

Located on the Dr. J. Michael Washburn Campus on Forest Hill Avenue, the new Aquatic Center is being designed to support student athletics, community recreation, and aquatic programming. At the heart of the facility will be a 50-meter competition pool designed to host both local and state-level swim events. A warm-water pool will support aerobics, therapy, and community swim programs. The building will also include multipurpose training spaces, expanded locker room facilities serving athletes from three high schools as well as community members, and seating for nearly 1,000 spectators. Additional observation areas will provide simultaneous views into both pool spaces from a single vantage point, while also accommodating overflow spectators during larger events.

The project began with conversation and information gathering. Early in the design process, the Forest Hills team conducted workshops with district staff and coaches, benchmarking visits to other aquatic facilities, and input sessions with swimmers, parents, operations staff, and club coaches. These discussions took place at multiple scales, including larger stakeholder groups and smaller focus groups, allowing a wide range of perspectives to inform the project.

This process helped establish guiding success factors that continue to shape the design, including safety, operational efficiency, student and community growth, and responsible stewardship of public investment.

Design Approach + Key Features

The design also draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape. The building embraces a design language inspired by water and woodland ecosystems, rooted in the experience of approaching and moving through a forest. 

As visitors arrive, the building is experienced much like the edge of a forest, where forms and materials begin to layer and unfold. Moving deeper into the facility parallels the experience of walking through trees, with the pool environment representing an opening within the landscape.

This concept is reflected in the building’s form, which draws from the layered structure of a forest, including shrub, understory, canopy, and emergent levels. Exterior massing expresses these layers through varied roofline heights, while interior materials and lighting reinforce the experience of moving through a wooded environment toward water.

The entry canopy extends this idea, combining an undulating form and a range of blue tones that reference the motion of water. At the same time, the rhythm of columns, lighting, and wood-toned soffit elements evokes the feeling of being beneath a forest canopy. Around the pool, tile selections create a mosaic gradient inspired by water meeting a shoreline, further connecting the experience of swimming with the natural character of the site.

Community Impact + Long-term Value

Beyond athletics, the new aquatic center is designed to be a community asset, supporting a wide range of programs and activities throughout the year. The facility will accommodate club swimming, recreational events, and community rentals, including opportunities for birthday parties and group gatherings. Multipurpose spaces adjacent to the pool deck allow these activities to occur while maintaining visual connections to the aquatic environment.

The inclusion of a warm-water therapy pool expands access for older adults and rehabilitation programs, while the competition pool positions the district to host major events that attract visitors and regional competitions. As enrollment grows, particularly with the expansion of Forest Hills Eastern High School, the facility will also create opportunities to support additional swim teams and expanded programming.

Ultimately, the aquatic center reflects Forest Hills Public Schools’ commitment to student wellness, community engagement, and thoughtful stewardship of public investment. Designed for flexibility, durability, and strong operational performance, the facility will support students, families, and the broader community.