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University of Chicago Student Recreation Facility | Chicago, IL

Wave Divider

Project Outline

The University of Chicago Student Recreation Facility underwent an intensive, speedy, complete renovation to modernize its complex indoor aquatic center. The project scope encompassed a large recreation pool featuring lap lanes, a lazy river, multiple bench areas, and steps, as well as a separate spa. Mid-America Pool Renovation executed the entire scope, from contract signature to final filling, in just two weeks to satisfy a strict university scheduling window.

  • Year of Construction: 2006
  • Renovation Goals: The primary goal was to resurface the extensive aquatic footprint while preserving the original waterline and racing lane tiles.
  • Services Selected: Plaster resurfacing was chosen as the most effective solution to meet the client's specific budgetary requirements.
  • Background: Severe indoor surface degradation required an accelerated two-week turnaround from contract to completion. Working over a holiday break in single-digit winter temperatures, a 19-man force mobilized to finish the job before school resumed.
After Bench
After Bench
After Zero Depth Entry Only Did Plaster Not The Tile
After Zero Depth Entry Only Did Plaster Not The Tile
After Lazy River
After Lazy River

Project Specifications:

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Scale: 6,700 sq. ft. Pool Surface Area; 740 sq. ft. Spa Surface Area
  • Delivery: Hydro-blasting surface preparation and white plaster resurfacing
  • Equipment or Materials Utilized: Forklift for debris removal, dewatering tank, and a large indoor containment bubble
  • Area Type: Indoor University Student Recreation Center
  • Timeline: 10 Days
Austin Plaster Bench
Austin Plaster Bench
Hydroblast Action
Hydroblast Action
Completed Hydroblast Lap Lane
Completed Hydroblast Lap Lane
Plaster Resurfacing
Plaster Resurfacing

Challenges Solved

  • Extreme Seasonal Timing:  Working in single-digit temperatures, crews had to mix plaster outside under makeshift tents and pump the material into the facility to maintain proper consistency.
  • Strict Scheduling Constraints:  To minimize facility downtime, work was performed over a holiday break before the academic term resumed.
  • Preservation of Existing Assets:  Maintaining the original tile work required painstaking detail, involving manual cutting and chipping around all waterline and racing markers.
  • Urban Access and Logistics:  Located in the heart of Chicago, the facility presented significant accessibility challenges for equipment and material delivery.
  • Unique Material Solutions:  Existing pool lights required a custom fix, involving the retrofitting of new light rings to secure them properly within the new finish.
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Special Considerations

  • Indoor Containment:  A large indoor tent/bubble was constructed to manage dust and debris during the hydro-blasting and demolition phases.
  • ADA Requirements:  The project involved intricate work on multiple sets of steps and several bench areas to ensure the facility remained compliant with safety and accessibility standards.
  • Sustainability Practices:  A dewatering tank was utilized to keep materials clean and environmentally friendly, allowing the resulting debris to be recycled at a quarry.
  • Complex Detailing:  The presence of a lazy river, several built-in benches, and multiple sets of steps required extensive manual finish work.
  • Large-Scale Coordination:  The project required the mobilization of 19 personnel, coordinating a specialist hydro-demolition crew followed by multiple plaster application teams.

From Our Team

“This project had a tough timeline and we needed to move quickly—it was only two weeks from contract signed to completion of job due to the specific timeframe they needed the work done in.”

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