25 YARD VS. 50 METER...WHICH TO BUILD?
Sooner or later, the people involved a pool project will ask this question: “Can we afford to build a 50 meter pool?” It is a valid question that should not only be asked, but carefully researched. There are 3 distinct areas to be considered:
1. What is the “cost to build” difference between the 25 yard pool and the 50 meter pool?
2. What will be the difference in annual operational cost?
3. What are the additional program income opportunities for the larger pool?
Taking these 3 points one at a time, here is some basic information to help get the thought process started. We have to make some assumptions to do the calculations:
Assumption #1:
a) The cost to build a pool will be around $90 a square foot. (USA Swimming has preferred providers who can meet or better this price in most locations.)
|
Pool description
|
Pool size
|
Pool cost to build
|
15’ decks around
|
Deck cost
|
Estimate Total
|
|
8 lane 25 yard
|
4425 sq ft
|
$398,250
|
5400 sq ft
|
$54,000
|
$452,250
|
|
10 lane 25 yard
|
6150 sq ft
|
$553,500
|
5610 sq ft
|
$56,100
|
$609,600
|
|
8 lane 50 meter
|
12,300 sq ft
|
$1,107,000
|
8070 sq ft
|
$80,700
|
$1,187,700
|
(This estimate includes pool and filtration and circulation equipment installed.)
b) The cost to cover the pools with an architectural membrane building will be about $35 per square foot installed.
|
Pool and decks
|
Size
|
Building cost
|
|
8 lane 25 yard
|
105’ x 90’
|
$330,750
|
|
10 lane 25 yard
|
112’ x 105’
|
$411,600
|
|
8 lane 50 meter
|
194’ x 105”
|
$712,950
|
(This estimate includes building installation with heat and lights.)
The estimates do not include spectator seating, shower rooms, offices or other supporting areas or equipment. Since these areas may remain constant for any of the above 3 examples they are not considered.
Assumption #2: Annual operational cost for pool and its portion of building. (Average lower Midwest multiplier used for example.)
|
Pool and decks
|
Facility Size
|
Annual operation
|
|
8 lane 25 yard
|
105’ x 90’
|
$113,400
|
|
10 lane 25 yard
|
112’ x 105’
|
$141,120
|
|
8 lane 50 meter
|
194’ x 105”
|
$244,440
|
Assumption #3: Programming income, rental only.
Income analysis for lane rental for swim teams during peak hours:
|
6 lane 25 yard
|
8 lane 25 yard
|
8 lane 50 meter
|
23 lane 50 meter
set up short course
|
|
number of lanes
|
6
|
8
|
8
|
23
|
|
cost per lane
|
$14
|
$14
|
$25
|
$14
|
|
time of day
|
income per hr
|
income per hr
|
income per hr
|
income per hour
|
|
5:00 AM
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
6:00 AM
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
Noon
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
3:30 PM
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
4:30 PM
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
5:30 PM
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
6:30 PM
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
7:30 PM
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
8:30 PM
|
$84
|
$112
|
$200
|
$322
|
|
Daily at capacity
|
$756
|
$1008
|
$1800
|
$2898
|
|
Annual based on 46 weeks
|
$173,880
|
$231,840
|
$414,000
|
$666,540
|
These figures are for comparison only. Rental rates will vary depending on location and demographics.
Many times there is a mix of short course lanes set up for long course water.
This example assumes that capacity programming cannot be attained and maintained during some hours of the day.
The short course or long course option will not greatly affect programs other than competitive lane rental. There may also be some population numbers or area “cost to operate” multipliers that need to be considered before any decision is made. Contact the Facilities Development Department for detailed information.
For any facility to be operationally viable and a service to the community, more than one pool should be included in the plans. We have only given sample figures for the largest pool in the facility. The other pools will probably remain consistent in size regardless of which large pool is included in the plans.
Conclusions:
|
Pool description
indoors
|
Specific Area Building & pool cost
|
Cost to operate area
|
Lane rental income = yr.
|
+ Differential
OperateIncome
|
- Differential
Cost to build
|
Time to recover cost to build differential
|
|
8 lane 25 yard
|
$783,000
|
$113,400
|
$231,840
|
$118,440
|
Base
|
Base
|
|
10 lane 25 yard
|
$1,021,200
|
$141,120
|
$414,000
|
$272,880
|
$238,200
|
1 year
|
|
8 lane 50 meter
|
$1,900,650
|
$244,440
|
$666,540
|
$422,140
|
$879,450
|
2 years
|