Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean swim season has to end. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities or a place for aquatic exercise, there are plenty of indoor swimming pools to explore, including those designed by Waters Edge Aquatic Design. With design projects in more than 20 states and some internationally, Waters Edge specializes in creating unique aquatic spaces, with many located in the Midwest. This winter, check out some visit-worthy indoor pool designs in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri that combine fun and fitness in every splash.
1. Wellmark YMCA, Des Moines, Iowa
This one is for the fitness fanatics. Wellmark YMCA’s aquatic design offers an Olympic-sized, 50-meter pool along with a 25-yard warm-up pool. The facility utilizes the most up-to-date and effective innovations in indoor pool mechanical systems. Pool amenities, including a movable bulkhead, water basketball and volleyball, and seating for 1,500 spectators, provide an efficient use of space.
The design is geared toward hosting regional and national competitive events, as well as creating a space for training, fitness, water polo and synchronized swimming programs. Its prime location in downtown Des Moines connects it to multiple hotels and restaurants via indoor skywalks.
Completed: 2018
Water Surface Area: 14,973 sf
Features:
- 8-lane and 50-meter by 18-lane and 25-yard competition pool
- Separate 4-lane, 25-yard warm-up pool
- Movable bulkhead
- 1,500-person spectator area
- Water basketball and volleyball
2. Marion YMCA, Marion, Iowa
This design has it all, from lap lane swimming to children’s play area and splash pad, to spa therapy water. The design is clean and modern meant for a relaxing time, and not that of an overstimulating waterpark meant to overwhelm you.
A thoughtful element of this design is the safety features around the children’s play areas and the ADA ramp into the recreation indoor pool. Young ones who cannot swim can splash around on deck with the added security of a netted fence. The ADA ramp is part of the pool basin design, so it eloquently and securely assists swimmers into the recreation pool. Certainly, a great choice for those needing added safety and lowered stimulation.
The lap lanes are designed for competitive swimming with starting platforms, flags and all. After swimming laps for some exercise and spending time with young ones in the recreational pool, relax by stepping into the spa.
Completed: 2021
Water Surface Area: 4,867 sf
Features:
- Spa
- Splash Pad
- ADA Ramp
- Wall Sprays
- Underwater Cannon Balls
- Tall Frog Spray
- Dedicated 3’ to 4’ Water Depth for Classes
- 25 Yard, 6 Lane Lap Pool
Website: https://www.crmetroymca.org/aquatics/
3. Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA, Marshalltown, Iowa
Swim back in time in one of Waters Edge’s first indoor pool designs that still impresses twenty years later. The Marshalltown Community YMCA-YWCA has a competitive swimming pool and a Huck Finn themed warm water recreation pool, great for anyone seeking both fitness swimming and thrills. The recreation pool offers a balanced collection of shallow play features and fun activities with a large water slide. The large glass window with an arched beamed ceiling combined with the wood tones is an integrated design complementing the Huck Finn theme seen throughout the pool features. This combination provides water park fun, perfect for all ages to enjoy.
Completed: 2004
Water Surface Area: 9,397 sf
Features:
- 8-lane, 25-yard lap pool
- 1-meter diving
- Two 60-ft lap lanes in recreation pool
- Spa for warm water therapy
- Interactive water play structure
- Floatables
- Water basketball
- Enclosed tube water slide
- Barrel sprays
Website: https://www.ymca-ywca.org/swim/
4. Parrot Cove Water Park, Garden City, Kansas
Step out of the cold wind and into a tropical oasis. Parrot Cove Water Park is an unexpected gem in southwestern Kansas, offering big-city aquatic thrills in a remote and surprising location. The design was largely focused on being a tourist destination by providing a color popping, family-friendly atmosphere with fun experiences for all ages. Enjoy rides down the four large slides (four stories high!), including the enclosed bowl slide and raft slide, and test your skills on the climbing wall and water walk.
The layout of the design helps limit older rambunctious kids from knocking over young swimmers. Younger children have an area of their own to splash and explore different heights in a water playground. It’s designed for relaxation as well with plenty of seating and a lazy river. You don’t need kids as an excuse to come because they offer adult only nights and serve alcohol. Plan this as part of a vacation as they offer weekend packages through hotels that are conveniently close by.
Completed: 2016
Water Surface Area: 7,932 sf
Features:
- Climbing wall
- Water walk
- Themed sprays
- Lazy river with adventure channels
- Rockscape waterfalls
- Inflatable movie screen
- Themed play structure
- Water slides
- Floatables
- Water basketball
Website: https://www.swimatparrotcove.com/
5. Blast Off Bay Waterpark, Goddard, Kansas
This place is for adventurers and gym rats. Blast Off Bay Waterpark takes aquatic recreation to new heights with its space-themed, futuristic design. It’s designed with everything you would expect from a thrilling, family-friendly water park then levels it up a notch with the in-water bar service located next to the giant water playground and across from the FlowRider surf machine.
Even though it is indoors and far from an ocean, you can have an inclusive pool experience of your own by renting a cabana just above the surf machine. A glass wall separates the water park from a competition indoor pool, which is also available to hotel guests. Why do we say this place is for gym rats? That’s because the water park and hotel are connected to Genesis Health Clubs, so working out at the competition pool and gym can all happen before chilling with a drink at the in-water bar.
Completed: 2023
Water Park
Water Surface Area: 7,723 sf
Wet Deck Area: 5,339 sf
Competition Pool
Water Surface Area: 7,775 sf
Features:
- Kiddie pool area
- Wet deck with large play structure and spray features
- Dump bucket
- Surf machine
- Hot tub with beverage bar
- Activity pool
- Lazy river
- Two large slides
- Cabanas
Website: https://blastoffbay.com/
6. Southeast Community Center, Kansas City, Missouri
This pool is located in Swope Park, which is also home to the Kansas City Zoo and Starlight Theater. The pool offers various activities packed into a small footprint; however, the small space feels wide open with the floor-to-ceiling glass wall exposing the outside. It’s a great place for little ones because of the zero-depth entry with spray features, the open line of sight from any corner of the facility, and the underwater bench to observe from.
The design offers what feels like two bodies of water when it is only one. Opposite from the zero-depth entry is a basketball goal, climbing wall, and water as deep as 9 feet, 6 inches, making the pool a great spot for older aged children as well. This location does have lap lanes, but probably isn’t the most ideal for someone wanting to lap swim during an open swim time since the lap lanes share spaces with play features.
Completed: 2024
Water Surface Area: 2,835 sf
Features:
- Zero-depth entry
- Shallow leisure area
- Lap swimming
- ADA pool steps
- Spray features
- Basketball goal
- Climbing wall
Website: https://kcparks.org/places/southeast-community-center/
7. Kirksville Aquatic Center, Kirksville, Missouri
The indoor pool at the Kirksville Aquatic Center focuses on fitness, making it a friendly space for those who love to swim as a form of exercise. Many avid lap swimmers despise play features interrupting and limiting their time in the lap lanes, which won’t happen here. The design caters to programs such as swim team practices, lap swimming, water walking and water aerobics. The one body of water is designed with four 25-yard lap lanes, a current channel, and shallow water swimming. During the summer months, the facility becomes more leisurely oriented with its outdoor pool located right outside the walls.
Completed: 2021
Water Surface Area: 3,128 sf
Features:
- Shallow water
- Current channel
- Four 25-yard lap lanes
Website: https://www.kirksvillecity.com/p/kac
Remember when visiting any of these pools designed by Waters Edge to check the facility’s website for open swim hours or to call to verify their hours. There are many undiscovered pools, both indoor and outdoor to explore in the Midwest, which can be found here: https://wedesignpools.com/projects/. Knowing the design of the pool will help you understand if it is a place best suited for your next swimming adventure.