We are proud to announce that the San Gabriel Valley Aquatics Center, now called the Hilda L. Solis Aquatics Center, has earned LEED Gold status. This joint-use community center, which opened in June of this year, was designed by HMC Architects and is managed by the LA County Public Works on behalf of the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation.
The Center was designed with sustainability in mind, featuring energy-efficient mechanical systems, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, healthy building materials, on-site stormwater infiltration, drought-tolerant plantings, among other environmentally responsible strategies. The project also incorporated sustainable practices during its construction, including comprehensive building commissioning and recycling of construction waste.
The new swimming facility and community park sit on a 3.1-acre site within the former campus of Temple Academy Elementary School in La Puente, California. The design of the aquatic center includes an Olympic-sized, 50-meter competitive swimming pool, a smaller practice and recreational pool, shaded bleachers and swim team areas, and modern amenities to facilitate competitive swimming events and water sports.
A 10,800-SF building adjacent to the pool houses classroom space for swim teams and community events, offices, locker rooms with showers, public restrooms, and a break area for aquatic center staff. The building receives ample daylight and access to views without compromising energy efficiency or occupant comfort. The complex also features a one-acre park with a walking path, exercise areas, a shade structure, a pollinator garden, a plaza, and an outdoor amphitheater, providing access to the adjacent county-owned and operated Allen J. Martin Park. The community-focused design addresses the local need for aquatic recreation while creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for all.
This public facility offers the children and families of La Puente a much-needed respite from the scorching summers, serving as a vital recreational resource for San Gabriel Valley residents and students of Hacienda-La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD).
LEED certifications are important to the larger goal of creating a more earth-friendly built environment, and also because public-sector clients want to partner with design firms that can deliver sustainable projects. A detailed view of the LEED score sheet for the Hilda L. Solis Aquatics Center (San Gabriel Valley Aquatics Center) is below.
