2024
Washington, DC
DC's WWAC Reopening Makes Waves
When summertime approaches, the swimming pools start filling with people looking to escape the growing heat. Splashing around in the refreshing water offers a peaceful and fun respite from the troubles of the world, and as the demand for pools grows, so does the innovation surrounding the engineering behind them. Designing an aquatic center poses some unique architectural challenges, with the centerpiece being a swimming pool containing a massive amount of water. Once the daunting engineering of the infrastructure has been resolved, aesthetics is the next important point to address to ensure the overall project achieves the goal of creating a function, yet relaxing environment.
Making A Splash
On Memorial Day, The Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center, a joint venture between the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation and The D.C. School District, proudly unveiled its newly reimagined community pools, available for all in the greater D.C. neighborhood to enjoy.
The center features a 25-yard-by-50-meter competition pool, a leisure pool, an adult whirlpool, and more. Not only is this center located in a high school, but U.S. veterans use this facility frequently, taking advantage of therapeutic programs, rehabilitative activities or enjoying a relaxing swim.
The prior pool area was laid with the products of the day; tile and sheet vinyl. However, the years took their toll on the old surfaces. The area looked worn and was very difficult to maintain and keep clean, thereby taxing scant resources and funds.
To address this, innovative flooring products from Sika Flooring were recommended by GA Flooring Company, an Elite Level Sikafloor Contractor, who expertly managed the project from design to completion.
TAKING THINGS TO A NEW LEVEL
GA Flooring used Sika Ucrete, a polyurethane mortar, to repair and correctly slope the pool deck aprons. Sika Ucrete is well suited to the hot and tropical conditions in the pool area. Sikafloor DecoDur Quartz, an epoxy-based floor coating broadcast with decorative quartz, ideally suited for industrial and institutional uses because of its long-lasting durability and attractive finish. Further, DecoDur results in a textured finish, providing a slip-resistant surface, essential in a pool deck area.
Finally, Sikafloor Merflex, designed for areas requiring a monolithic waterproofing membrane, was used in the facility’s mechanical rooms to accommodate both the high levels of moisture and other extreme conditions.“
Overall, this proved to be a great project, despite its many logistical challenges”, commented Dave Delarso, sales representative at SikaFlooring, “By pairing superior floor products from Sika with GA Flooring’s craftmanship any tough project can be tackled with style”.
Now that the center is reopened, it’s being safely enjoyed by the residents of D.C. It is being viewed as a crown jewel of the neighborhood and is boosting development through demonstrated rehabilitation of the area.
“As an Elite installer, I am always confident to recommend Sikafloor in difficult and challenging projects,” concluded Guillermo Arrieta, President at GA Flooring Company, “It never lets us down”.
PROJECT: Woodrow Willson Aquatic Center Washington, DC
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: GA Flooring Company, Corp Highland Park, NJ
FLOORING SYSTEM: Sika-Ucrete Sikafloor-DecoDur Quartz Sikafloor-Merflex
PROJECT SIZE: 57,000 sq. ft.
COMPLETED: May 2024
“ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES TO USING SIKAFLOOR IS THAT THERE IS A SYSTEM FOR EVERY CONDITION YOU RUN INTO. WHETHER YOU NEED SLIP-RESISTANCE, WATERPROOFING OR HIGH-END AESTHETICS, SIKA HAS YOU COVERED”.
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Read the whole story on how Sika Helped Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center reopen.