Aquatics Projects
Gignac is passionate about creating innovative and inspiring aquatic facilities that promote health, wellness, and community. Our team of experienced architects and designers have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with designing aquatic facilities. We believe that aquatic facilities should not only be functional and safe but also aesthetically pleasing and sustainable.
Our Aquatics Projects
LA JOYA WATER PARK & PLANETARIUM
The new La Joya Natatorium Project is made up of three distinct areas. The first area is the Admissions Area, which groups together the Main Entry, the Restroom/Shower Buildings, and the Concessions Building. The second area is the Natatorium Building, which houses the 10 lane competition pool, two diving boards, two locker rooms, and the supporting mechanical space. The third area of the Natatorium project is the Water Park. It has a covered toddler leisure pool and larger leisure pool, both with play and spray features, and a water slide that terminates into a plunge pool. The Water Park area will also have a winding river pool. Dispersed around these pools area covered canopy areas and lounging areas. Parking, separation of entrances for the Natatorium and Water Park, and security are issues that have also been addressed in this project.
Harlingen Aquatics Center
The new Harlingen Natatorium will house three separate bodies of water. An eight-lane competition pool, a competition diving well with two 1-meter diving boards (with a location for a future 3 meter diving platform), and a shallow learn-to-swim pool. The spectator area is planned for approximately 320 seats with ADA accommodations. The new Natatorium space will be attached to an existing Gymnasium and locker room building. The Boys and Girls locker rooms will be renovated to house the new team locker rooms. The Existing Gym will be renovated to accommodate a fitness room, classroom, first aid room, office, and storage areas. Part of the existing gymnasium will incorporate the existing telescopic bleachers for team overflow and waiting area during swim meets. The public restrooms and concession area will be used by both the Aquatic Center and Boggus Stadium during football games.
TMISD Natatorium
This project was a renovation of an existing 12,500 sq. ft. natatorium facility, including new finishes, acoustical treatment, lighting, and multiple upgrades to the pool infrastructure. The project also involved the addition of a 1,400 sq. ft. entry and restroom facility, and a 500 sq. ft. timing/storage room. The existing 1,000 sq. ft. terrace was replaced with a new terrace and sunshade structure.
La Joya Water Park
The new La Joya Natatorium Project is made up of three distinct areas. The first area is the Admissions Area, which groups together the Main Entry, the Restroom/Shower Buildings, and the Concessions Building. The second area is the Natatorium Building, which houses the 10 lane competition pool, two diving boards, two locker rooms, and the supporting mechanical space. The third area of the Natatorium project is the Water Park. It has a covered toddler leisure pool and larger leisure pool, both with play and spray features, and a water slide that terminates into a plunge pool. The Water Park area will also have a winding river pool. Dispersed around these pools area covered canopy areas and lounging areas. Parking, separation of entrances for the Natatorium and Water Park, and security are issues that have also been addressed in this project.
North Bayfront Park
Following a devastating Category Four hurricane in 1919 that destroyed its downtown, Corpus Christi filled a block into the Corpus Christi Bay to construct a seawall that would protect the community from future disasters. Since that time, the bay front has been defined by Shoreline Drive—a wide boulevard designed primarily for automobiles—and provided limited spaces for pedestrians in the hot South Texas sun. In 2004, Gignac Associates and Sasaki prepared the overall master plan for the Corpus Christi bay front—spanning from McGee Beach in the south to the ship channel in the north. The approved master plan called for the relocation of Shoreline Boulevard in order to accommodate green spaces along the water’s edge, thus creating the vision for the North Bay front Park. Situated next to the American Bank Center Arena, North Bay front Park is the first of a series of parks to be constructed from the master plan. The relocation, reduction of two travel lanes, and removal of the 80-foot-wide median of Shoreline Boulevard recaptured the bay front land and allowed for the creation of North Bay front Park. Traffic trables, intersection neck-downs, and reduced lanes curtail traffic and improve the public realm for pedestrians. North Bay front Park is designed to accommodate festivals and events such as Buccaneer Days. Shoreline Boulevard is closed to traffic for these events to make space for performances, vendors, and pedestrians. A key feature of the park includes an interactive fountain to attract children and families. Parents can sit at the adjacent café in the park, protected from the wind with glass windscreens, while watching their children play in the fountain. The café is shaded by fabric stretched between posts while groves of palms and mesquite trees will grow over time to provide shady spots in the park. An arbor is designed to support colorful Bougainvillea planting that shade a walkway leading to the fountain. The arbor fronts a parcel identified for a future restaurant included in the design to activate and program the park.
CORPUS CHRISTI COUNTRY CLUB
These major renovations were broken down into two separate projects. Project one included renovations to a fitness room, locker room, and renovations of the 19th hole. Project two included enclosures to the dining room, renovations of the kiddie pool, and fitness room renovations.