Brownwood, TX Pool Adds “Something for Everyone” and Hits Capacity Over and Over

August 19, 2010

“We wanted to offer something that everyone from toddlers to seniors could enjoy,” says David Withers, City of Brownwood Parks Director. “People used to travel 75 or 100 miles to go to pools like this. Now they stay here at our Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center.”

Brownwood’s city pool was 35 years old and, as part of a parks master plan, community leaders hoped to renovate it while also adding a senior center and sports complex. After much research, they went to voters for approval and received overwhelming support for their plans. They also received grants from Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Armed with the proper resources, Withers oversaw construction of a new pool that includes a zero-depth entry area for toddlers and gradually transitions to a 12-feet-deep diving and lane-swimming area, often used by seniors.

The Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center also includes several water play features from PLAYTIME, LLC. The toddler area includes a boltdown kiddie slide. For bigger kids, Brownwood added PLAYTIME’s lily pad water walk.

“That water walk has been a big hit,” says Withers. “There’s always a line. The kids pretend they’re Indiana Jones. We’ve even had some parents try, but they’re not quite as agile as the kids.”

Sunbelt Pools worked with Brownwood to renovate the pool and Bob Word, Sunbelt Pools’ Superintendent, says that water walks and other play elements are very popular in the industry.

“Smaller kids love that little slide on the tugboat,” says Word of one of PLAYTIME’s water play features. “And bigger kids enjoy the floatable walks. Those features are used all the time. Kids love them.”

Withers says that the new pool holds 424 people and, since opening on July 3, it has hit capacity three-quarters of the time.

“It is fantastic for the public,” he says. “There is something here for everybody.”