Creating an Aquatic Future for Ponderay

An artistic concept of an indoor leisure pool. The pool is a free-flowing shape and is surrounded by a wooden deck. The facility is covered by a white A-shaped roof and has large glass walls showing many trees and mountains outside. There are dozens of pool-goers of all ages playing and splashing in the pool and relaxing around it.

A healthy and safe aquatic center that is affordable and available for our community

We are excited to introduce our plans for a state-of-the-art indoor aquatic complex in Ponderay, Idaho. This facility will cater to the year-round needs of recreational and competitive swimmers alike, while also providing a critical training resource for our local first responders. At Ponderay Aquatic Center Endowment (PACE), our mission is to provide resources needed to achieve the success and accomplishments of the aquatic and recreational needs of our community.

Leisure pool designed for all ages and abilities

Competition pool for training and local events

Envisioned as part of the greater Field of Dreams complex

Learn more about our vision
The proposed floor plan for the Field of Dreams complex. The image has a clear circle over the right side of the facility, highlighting the indoor pool features and a slight gray opacity over the other components of the facility. It features an indoor pool complex, which includes a leisure pool, competition pool, bleachers, mechanical and support rooms, locker rooms, and party rooms. There is also a splash pad outside of the indoor pools, immediately to its right. A large regulation-size indoor ice rink is to the left of the pool areas, with spaces for locker rooms, rentals, support, and a Zamboni garage. There is also a smaller outdoor ice rink immediately below the indoor ice rink. Above the pool and to the right of the indoor ice rink there is a field house, featuring three soccer fields, a running track in the rafters above, and an outdoor gathering area. Lastly, the entry area to the right of the pools and fieldhouse feature space for staff and reception, weights, an elevator, and an outdoor workout area. The diagram points out the baseball fields are above the complex and the soccer fields are below it.
An illustration of the proposed leisure pool in Ponderay, Idaho. It features a zero-entry area on the right with outlines of children playing with water features in that area. The left side of the pool is deeper and also provides access to an adjoining lazy river. The background shows large glass windows with the splash pad and trees outside. The roof has a wooden frame with white ceiling panels.

Explore the leisure pool

  • Diverse programming for all ages: Provides swim lessons for children, warm water aerobics for seniors, injury recovery programs, family leisure opportunities, and spaces for hosting birthday parties.

  • Accessible and inclusive pool design: Maintains an 86–88°F water temperature, includes a zero-depth entry area for easy access, and features walkable lanes (4 ft deep, 25 yards long) for aerobics and swim lessons.

  • Child- and senior-friendly spaces: Offers varying depths (1 ft, 2 ft, and 3 ft) for swim lessons and safe recreational use, catering to young children and elderly individuals.

  • Recreational features for fun and relaxation: Incorporates a lazy river with fountains and interactive elements, as well as an exciting indoor/outdoor slide for year-round enjoyment.

A rendering of the proposed indoor competition pool for Ponderay, Idaho. It features 8 swimming lanes marked by yellow and red lane dividers and red banners on the back wall indicating the lane number. There are many silhouettes of people spectating on the pool deck and in the bleachers off to the right. There is various cardio equipment on the second floor overlooking the pool. The roof has a wood frame with white ceiling panels.

Explore the competition pool

  • Comprehensive training and event opportunities: Supports diverse aquatic activities such as swim meets, dive meets, water polo, synchronized swimming, deep water rescue training, SCUBA training, lifeguard certification, and kayak/boat safety events.

  • High-performance pool design: Features a 30 x 25-yard pool with multiple swim lanes (7.5 feet wide) and a waveless gutter system. Pool depths range from 8 feet to 16 feet, accommodating varied activities, including diving and deep-water training.

  • Specialized amenities for athletes and spectators: Includes a hot tub for adults and competitors, a large visible scoreboard, seating for 400–600 spectators, and a subterranean viewing area to observe deep-water activities and diving.

  • Fully-equipped support facilities: Houses offices for administration and lifeguards, showers, locker rooms, and storage beneath the bleachers. Additionally, features an ADA lift, ensuring accessibility for all users.

An artistic concept of an outdoor splash pad. A tree and long grass landscape the foreground of the image next to the splash pad. There are many children playing on the splash pad with other children and adults conversing and spectating to the side. The background shows the exterior of the indoor pool complex on the left and trees and mountains on the right. Many clouds are shown in the sky as well.

Opportunities for our community

Ponderay deserves a place for the community to come together, be active, and develop necessary skills and support for life in a town surrounded by water.

Health & wellness benefits

• Living on Lake Pend Oreille, it is critical that every child and adult knows how to swim. The facility will provide access to safe and accessible aquatics and instruction.
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• Having an indoor aquatic center will provide relief from heavy winters, creating an opportunity and place for leisure, fitness, safety, and community growth.

• A wide array of accessible aquatic programming promotes the well-being of our most vulnerable, including people with disabilities and elderly individuals.

Community benefits

• A 16 foot deep competition pool would provide lifeguards and local first responders a place to train for deep water rescue.
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• Leisure, fitness, and competition swimming will be beneficial to our growing region. Over the next decade, North Idaho is expected to have a higher growth rate (1.6%) than the rest of the state (1.3%).

• A comprehensive sports and fitness facility will encourage economic growth for other businesses in Ponderay.
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How we can create this aquatic vision for Ponderay

Establish a memorandum of understanding with the City of Ponderay and North Idaho Ice

Partnering with the city would allow us to realize this vision as a part of the Field of Dreams complex. Similarly, North Idaho Ice could be a valuable partner who is also planning to build at the Field of Dreams. Ice rinks produce excess heat; this heat can be transferred to the aquatic center, creating efficiencies in energy consumption and utilization for both facilities.

Contract with an architect to complete building plans

Working with a reputable building architect will be essential in proceeding to 100% design. This will ensure that we receive a state-of-the-art facility that is built to reflect our community needs and values.

Collect funds to build the facility

Funding from multiple sources will be required to raise the amount required to build the aquatic facility. This could include a combination of partnerships with other organizations, grants, public funding, and donations. Support from our community will be crucial and we kindly ask for donations and/or sponsorships to create this generational investment. Please reach out using the contact form below to inquire. Online donation capabilities are coming soon.

Construct the leisure pool

Building the leisure pool in our first phase of construction will ensure that we can quickly serve the largest portion of our community's needs. Construction for this phase will begin as soon as all relevant approvals are received and funds are available.

Construct the competition pool and the rest of the facility

Our second phase will see the construction of the competition pool and its associated features. This will establish the Ponderay Aquatic Center as a fully-featured state-of-the-art facility that serves the needs of all community members.

A male swimmer diving head first into a lane of a competition swimming pool. He is wearing black swim jammers and swim goggles. The shot is taken from an angle behind the swimmer and the feet of spectators can be seen in the background.

Ready to dive in? So are we!

Please reach out with any questions or if you would like to sponsor or donate to PACE. Every contribution helps us get closer to our vision.

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