New Polytechnic Facility Features State-Of-The-Art Pool

Students at Florida Polytechnic University have a new state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance their keep them healthy and fit in between lectures and studies.

The Student Development Center, located at 4600 Polytechnic Circle, officially opened its doors Wednesday, Feb. 28.

The 8,600-square-foot building has a strength and cardio training area with exercise machines, free weights and lifting plates. It also includes office spaces and a multipurpose room for group training, classes and meetings.

For many students, however, the main attraction is the competition-sized pool with eight swimming lanes and geothermal heating technology, which uses the Earth’s heat to maintain a near-constant temperature.

“Our main goal with the Student Development Center is to promote the health and personal growth of all Florida Poly students,” said Scott Rhodes, vice provost of enrollment and student development.

The building’s design, by Straughn Trout Architects LLC, used simple materials to shape the interior, flooding it with natural light. It also incorporates passive and active energy-saving strategies.

“With this signature project, our design team enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to advance the growth and unique sense of place of the neo-futuristic and architecturally distinguished Florida Polytechnic campus," said Tim Hoeft, managing principal for Straughn Trout Architects LLC.

Corey Miller, president of Miller Construction Management Inc., said sound planning allowed the company to complete the project in 12 months.

“During the construction of the Student Development Center, layout and precision were always top of mind. With an exposed structure, the means and methods were critical to achieving the intended aesthetics,” said Miller.

The campus is located at 4700 Research Way in Lakeland, along the Interstate 4 high-tech corridor. For more information, visit Florida Poly’s website.

Image via Polytechnic University