In 2025, the most notable projects in aquatics balanced the needs of spectators and athletes, resulting in groundbreaking designs that ensured memorable experiences for everyone.
Waters Edge Aquatic Design — Sofia’s Play Garden
- Facility Name: Sofia's Play Garden at Lauritzen Gardens
- City, State: Omaha, Neb.
- Cost of Project: $13 million (donor-funded)
- Type of Facility: Interactive children's garden, learning center, outdoor playground, and water play area
- Architectural Firm: Architectural Offices (AO)—based out of Omaha, Neb.
- Sub-consultant (aquatics/water feature): Waters Edge Aquatic Design—based out of Kansas City, Kan.
- Lead Architect Name: William Stott, AIA
- Status: Complete, opened to the public on May 26, 2025. The project originally broke ground in 2022.
- Square Footage: 1.3 acres (56,628 square feet)
Following the construction of the new Production Greenhouse Facility on the site of the existing Children's Garden, Lauritzen Gardens aimed to create a larger, more interactive garden experience for children. A site was chosen adjacent to the existing Visitor's Center, and the project broke ground in 2022.
Sofia's Play Garden, named in honor of the daughter of donors Polina and Bob Schlott, includes 13 learning/activity areas that kids can experience sequentially or individually. While exploring the garden, kids can find places to play, interact with nature, and learn something new. Activity areas include a plant petting zoo, a building area, indoor and outdoor classrooms, tree houses, a little free library, a puppet theater, a spider-web climbing area, a lookout over the Missouri River, and so much more!
The water play area, the Hager Family Springs, offers a refreshing spot to cool down. It also serves the greater Lauritzen Gardens by cycling water through the play area, capturing it in a series of ponds and wetlands, and using it for irrigation, ending in a gray water system.
This nature-filled adventure has already turned heads throughout the region and is sure to be a welcome addition to Omaha’s growing tourist attractions.
OLC — Eagle Pool & Ice Rink
- Facility Name: Eagle Pool & Ice Rink
- City, State: Eagle, Col.
- Cost of Project: $13M
- Type of Facility: Aquatic Complex
- Architectural Firm: OLC Architecture, Interiors and Aquatics
- Lead Architect Name: Bob McDonald, AIA, LEED AP
- Status: Complete
- Square Footage: Outdoor Pool Area—20,000
- Number of Floors: 1
The Town of Eagle and Mountain Recreation District partnered to replace the existing outdoor pool at the Eagle Pool & Ice Rink. The new outdoor aquatics area nearly doubles the previous water surface area and features two distinct bodies of water: a 6-lane, 25-yard lap/exercise/competition pool and a 4,500-square-foot leisure pool with zero-depth entry, current channel, sport area, and expanded water play features. The facility also includes two new water slides, four family changing rooms, shade structures, new lounge seating, and the return of Willy the Frog. Additional amenities like basketball hoops, ziplines, and interactive play elements further enhance the family-friendly aquatic experience.
OLC — Wellington Aquatic Complex
- Facility Name: Wellington Aquatic Complex
- City, State: Wellington, Fla.
- Cost of Project: $28M
- Type of Facility: Aquatic Complex
- Architectural Firm: OLC Architecture, Interiors and Aquatics
- Lead Architect Name: Sam Elsheikh, President, AIA, LEED AP
- Status: Completed 2025
- Square Footage: 7,500
- Number of Floors: 1
The Village of Wellington Aquatics Center, a state-of-the-art facility, is designed to serve both the Village residents and surrounding communities. It features two pools catering to competitive and recreational activities. The main competition pool, a 64-meter stretch with a bulkhead, starts at a depth of 6’8” and slopes down to 13’ at the deep end. It includes a timing system, scoreboard, two water polo courts, two 1-meter diving boards, and two 3-meter diving boards.
The recreation pool offers a zero-depth entry, play structure with spray features, a 2- to 3-foot open-water play area with a basketball hoop, and a 6-lane, 25-yard multi-purpose pool for learn-to-swim programs, water exercise, and competition warm-ups. It also boasts a double-course Ninja Cross system, the first in Florida.
Facilities include a 7,500-square-foot air-conditioned pool house with a concession stand, party room, locker rooms, family changing rooms, and administrative spaces. The site features a covered drop-off, shaded concession areas, a separate equipment yard, ample deck space, shade structures, spectator seating, umbrellas, rental cabanas, and parking for vehicles, buses, and bicycles.
Vortex — Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cooling Area
- Facility Name: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cooling Area
- City, State: Cherokee, N.C.
- Cost of Project: $550,000 for Vortex equipment, approx. $600,000 for installation by contractor
- Type of Facility: Municipal park
- Architectural Firm: Vortex designed in-houseLead Architect Name: Vortex designed in-house
- Status: Completed May 2025
- Square Footage: 12,300 and 22 total GPM
In spring 2025, the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians introduced a reimagined Splashpad in downtown Cherokee, N.C., that blends play, sustainability, and community spirit. What was once a standard recirculating pad has been transformed into an eco-conscious destination powered entirely by solar energy.
At the heart of the design are four Abrio structures and 26 Glomist features from Vortex Aquatic Structures, each creating gentle rain and cooling mist. Together, they provide a playful and restorative experience while showcasing how innovative water play can be both fun and environmentally responsible.
The solar integration not only powers the features but also reduces the site’s overall footprint, reinforcing the tribe’s commitment to stewardship of natural resources. Covering 12,000 square feet but requiring just 22 gallons per minute, this area ranks among the most sustainable splashpads globally.
The combination of interactive sprays, misting zones, and shaded seating ensures a welcoming retreat for both residents and visitors. And it is open evenings as well: LED lighting extends use beyond the heat of a summer day.
This project is more than a cooling hub. It is a visible expression of community values, offering a sustainable and engaging gathering place for years to come.
Vortex — Midtown Water Park
- Facility Name: Midtown Water Park
- City, State: Carrollton, Ga.
- Cost of Project: Vortex features—$762,000; Total Project—$1.2M
- Type of Facility: Municipal park
- Landscape Architect: Georgia & West, Inc.
- General Contractor: RaLin Construction
- Status: Complete
- Square Footage: 6,000+ s.f. for the L6 Elevations™ multi-level play structure, plus a zero-entry pool with a PlayNuk™ and waterslide separately on the side of the Splashpad
After nearly two years of planning and construction, Midtown Water Park officially opened in spring 2025 and has become one of the most exciting new attractions in the City of Carrollton, Ga. This vibrant and family-friendly destination was developed as a pay-for-play attraction, thoughtfully designed to offer residents and visitors a refreshing escape during the summer months.
The original footprint featured an old pool; the city wanted to renovate this space to bring a fully immersive aquatic center to life in its place. The water park features two distinct zones. A 6,000-square-foot Splashpad® features a variety of interactive play features for kids of all ages and abilities. At the heart of the space is a Vortex Elevations™ multi-level play structure. Adjacent to this, a zero-depth entry pool gently slopes to a depth of 6.5 feet and features a Vortex PlayNuk™ structure. The “star” of the pool is a thrilling Vortex waterslide.
Midtown Water Park is now the largest municipal water park in the region and has quickly made a big splash in the community. Its first full season was a resounding success, delivering a dynamic space for families to relax, play, and beat the heat.