Accenza presents indoor-aquatics concept to Pueblo West board; committee set for Dec. 11

PUEBLO WEST — Accenza Architecture presented a conceptual design, schedule and budget-tracking approach for a proposed indoor aquatics center during a Nov. 21 special meeting of the Pueblo West Metro District Board.

Krista Plaza, president and architect at Accenza Architecture, and Dane Vero, project manager and senior architect, reviewed geotechnical borings on two candidate sites and recommended Site 2 because it showed deeper bedrock and would likely reduce excavation and foundation costs. Accenza described a design–bid–build procurement approach, cautioned about long lead times for pre-engineered metal buildings and custom pool dehumidification units, and estimated a typical design-to-occupancy timeline of about 18–20 months from the start of design.

Plaza described a conceptual 12,000-square-foot building with a lap pool (approximate pool dimensions discussed were in the neighborhood of 45–50 feet by 80–85 feet). She told the board that building size and occupant-load calculations matter for code decisions: if the building is 12,000 sq. ft. or the occupant load exceeds 300, sprinklers would be required; the pool deck often determines occupant load because it is calculated at 15 sq. ft. per person.

Board members asked for careful budget tracking and for design decisions that keep costs down while preserving options for future additions. Accenza said it could prepare concept sketches and cost-targeted alternatives and would work with county planning on road-improvement requirements. The architects also discussed maintenance considerations — high-performance coatings for steel, pool dehumidification and HVAC layout — to ensure longevity and control operating costs.

On governance and next steps, the board agreed to form a small aquatics committee. Two board members volunteered to serve: Bill and Greg. The board scheduled a committee design workshop for Dec. 11 at 9:00 a.m. and asked staff to bring a professional services agreement (PSA) to the board on Dec. 8 so Accenza could proceed with detailed design work if authorized.

Accenza and staff noted a variety of cost and program choices remain: sprinklers versus deferred expansion, scope of locker rooms and party-room options that could provide rental revenue, and whether to include additional site and road work in the initial contract or manage those through amendments as the design proceeds. The architects said they will provide more-detailed budget tracking and are prepared to coordinate early sketch reviews with Pueblo County planning to refine scope and road requirements.