GOVERNMENT / MECHANICAL

Fort Wainwright Aquatics Center

Information about the project:

Slayden Plumbing and Heating proudly completed the full mechanical scope for the U.S. Army’s new 29,495-square-foot Indoor Aquatics Center located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Designed as a state-of-the-art facility, the center includes a leisure pool with a water slide, a lap pool, fully equipped locker rooms, administrative offices, and various support spaces. The project’s unique location and purpose required a highly resilient, energy-efficient, and corrosion-resistant mechanical design to ensure long-term reliability in Alaska’s harsh climate.

The building’s primary heating source is steam supplied by Fort Wainwright’s district heating system. This steam is used not only for space heating but also for heating the pools through dedicated heat exchangers. Each pool is served by a steam-to-water heat exchanger with stainless steel heads and copper-nickel tubes, engineered to withstand continuous exposure to chlorinated pool water. Stainless steel impellers were installed in all pool heating pumps, and PVC piping was used throughout the pool water systems to further protect against corrosion.

Space heating throughout the facility is achieved using a non-toxic 50% Propylene Glycol solution, providing both efficiency and freeze protection during extreme winter conditions. Perimeter baseboard units, reheat coils, and in-slab radiant floor systems—particularly in locker and shower areas—ensure consistent comfort for both patrons and staff.

Ventilation was another critical aspect of the design. High-efficiency heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) serve the entire building, with those supporting pool areas receiving additional protection through baked epoxy-coated coils and Hi-Pro polyester-coated fans. To combat the corrosive effects of chlorinated air, the ductwork in pool zones combines aluminum and specialized fabric duct systems.

The facility’s plumbing systems include a comprehensive network of roof and overflow drains, directing stormwater into onsite infiltration basins. Domestic water needs are met through a steam-to-water heat exchanger, and the hot water system is equipped with a pumped recirculation loop to maintain temperature consistency. Wastewater is directed to a gravity-fed sewer system, ensuring seamless operation.

For cooling, Direct Expansion (DX) air conditioning units serve critical spaces such as administrative offices, the lap pool viewing room, telecommunications and server equipment rooms, and the main electrical room—providing precise climate control where it matters most.

This project highlights our team’s expertise in delivering robust, efficient, and customized mechanical solutions tailored to the unique demands of military and recreational facilities in extreme environments.