On the Boards: Whitney Pool

With the closing of the South Pool in 2020, the Boise Bench neighborhood lost an essential community asset. In 2024, the City of Boise tasked Cushing Terrell to assist in finding a solution. Not only was bringing a public pool back to the neighborhood important, but the design team needed to develop a space that blended with the eclectic mid-century styles of the neighborhood, along with incorporating feedback from the community on desired features.

The ultimate design includes an eight-lane, 25-yard lap pool that will be open to the public during the summer and available for team practice, swimming competitions, and special events. There will also be a zero-depth entry activity pool for young people that will function as a space for swim lessons. Additionally, during the summer, there will be an elevated slide to add to the activities.

With space for a food truck, shaded seating, and a large pool deck, the pool complex will be able to welcome 200 patrons at a time to enjoy the space. Two buildings, matching in mid-century styles, will be constructed, one will include spaces such as locker rooms, showers, and restroom facilities. The second building will house staff areas and equipment storage.

The Land Group and Aquatic Design Group assisted with creating a site layout that encourages and facilitates public access and incorporates an area for passenger drop off and parking that can accommodate scooters, bicycles, and other micro-mobility vehicles.