Athletic Business, Boston Sports Institute

Boston Sports Institute

Wellesley, MA 2020

Project Description

OLYMPIC PEDIGREE

Among the many features of the Boston Sports Institute, perhaps none is more famous than the pool. Used in the 2012 Olympic swimming trials, the pool was reconfigured by the team of Weston & Sampson Engineers, EDGE Sports Group and Myrtha Pools before being installed in the new, 130,000-square-foot multipurpose facility. The reconfigured pool changed the original 50-meter pool into a 10-lane, 25-yard “stretch” pool, allowing for three additional warm-up lanes. A bleacher-style spectator area is located a floor above allowing parents and fans to cheer on kids during meets without overwhelming the pool deck with people. A three-lane warm teaching pool is separated from the competition pool by a wall, allowing for simplified air temperature and humidity control.

UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP

The facility represents a public/private partnership between the Town of Wellesley and EDGE Sports Group. The town originally leased the land to allow for the construction of the facility, and EDGE moved in to build and operate the facility. In turn, local swimming and hockey teams get preferred access to the pool and hockey facilities.

TRULY MULTIPURPOSE

The facility features two pools, two hockey rinks, an indoor turf field, sports training, physical therapy areas, as well as rentable party rooms and concessions areas. While priority is granted to local teams, the facility is open to the public and used by a wide variety of collegiate, club and master’s teams. The aquatic portion of the facility is managed by Charles River Aquatics, which coordinates the coaching of its club swim team and facility staffing, including lifeguards.

Project Details

Architect: ESG Associates Inc.
Construction Cost: N/A
Square Feet: 130,000
Occupancy: January 2019