Levy Park Pool

Photo Library

Client: City of Tallahassee
Completion: 1991
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Construction Cost: $612,000.00

The existing 1950's swimming pool and bathhouse complex was unable to meet accessibility requirements and building code criteria and was therefore demolished by the City of Tallahassee to accommodate a new facility. The client requested a simple block building with a tan and brown color scheme, which had been the city criterion. The architect felt this did not provide the best approach to a stimulating summer respite and one of the major design objectives became the creation of a building, which expressed the excitement of childhood.

After convincing the city that a new approach might succeed, the design was realized with children's preferences in mind. This was accomplished by using eye-catching colors, rough-textured walls and open breezeways. The designer also endeavored to accommodate adult needs by providing covered spaces for parents along the building edge.

To accomplish the goal of making the building a focal point of summertime water-oriented community activities, the new building and pool were made larger than the original and a classroom building with considerable storage space was added. This allowed the Parks and Recreation Department to expand its instructional services and provide storage for various types of recreational equipment.

Since the pool opened, attendance has increased and hours of operation have been extended to accommodate the increased demand. Most important, however, is the fact that the building has helped change a long-standing attitude toward the value of thoughtful design of public recreation buildings.