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Kent State University Wheelchair Accessible Natatorium

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Image: Counsilman-Hunsaker
Image: Counsilman-Hunsaker

Universities have come a long way in becoming accessible for people with disabilities. Starting with Ed Roberts and his work at Cal Berkley, universities are now much more accessible in both physical and administrative terms. For the physical side, one place people at one time would never think of making accessible for people with disabilities is the recreation and fitness center. But with evens such as the Paralympics, everyone now knows that physical fitness is something everyone can be a part of. Which brings us to this fantastic looking and wheelchair accessible natatorium at Kent State University.

Student Fitness
The natatorium is just one part of the Kent State Recreation and Wellness Center. Built in 1999 at a cost of $25 million, this is a fine looking facility with everything a student would need to stay in shape. The natatorium itself has a lap pool, leisure pool, and whirlpool spa. The entire building was designed by Hastings+Chivetta with aquatics consulting from Counsilman-Hunsaker.

Water Types
With the lap pool, I couldn’t tell exactly from the pictures if there is a pool lift. If there isn’t one, it can easily (and should be) installed. The leisure pool is big and sprawling and accessible via a ramp. The ramp is a curved one that gradually brings someone into the water. Halfway down the ramp there is the option to enter a large circular area that is shallow. From there there is another ramp that leads to the deeper leisure pool area.

Image: Kent State
Image: Kent State

Raised Whirlpool
The whirlpool spa is a raised one that sits above the leisure pool and surrounding walking area. This essentially creates a transfer wall where a wheelchair user could transfer on top of the wall and then into the spa.

Conclusion
A huge and nicely designed facility with functional accessibility. For more on the Kent State Rec Center and their programs visit this website. To see more of Hastings+Chivetta’s work visit www.HastingsChivetta.com. And to see more of Counsilman-Hunsaker’s work visit www.CounsilmanHunsaker.com