A Welcoming, Year-Round Community Destination

Located in Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood, the Swansea Recreation Center is a vital investment in a historically underserved community. The center replaces an aging outdoor pool with a new indoor natatorium, creating a welcoming, year-round destination for recreation and connection. Anchored by a bold, cohesive addition, the design unifies decades of architectural evolution through simple massing and expressive form, reflective of the neighborhood's cultural identity served by this beloved community asset.  

Local Engagement Drives Recreation Center Transformation

Multilingual outreach and interactive workshops enabled residents to inform everything from pool amenities to interior finishes. In response, the design team introduced a streamlined natatorium addition that bridges eras through form and rhythm. Its sloped roofline mirrors the original building’s three distinct pitches, while a large, north-facing window opens views to the adjacent park, reinforcing the center’s connection to its surroundings. Along the west façade, a rhythmic window pattern echoes the original paired openings, allowing daylight to filter in from multiple directions and create a bright, comfortable interior without glare or heat gain. The north community room opens to the outdoors and stitches into the façade, extending the center’s reach as a social and civic anchor.  

Key design features:

• Combined 25-meter lap and leisure pool with indoor/outdoor slide
• New locker rooms, including family-friendly changing areas
• Pool lounge with a garage door for a flexible event or deck space
• Renovated lobby with improved visibility, security and wayfinding
• Bilingual signage and neighborhood-inspired graphics to reflect local identity

A Lasting Impact for the Elyria-Swansea Neighborhood

More than a recreation center, this project symbolizes investment, inclusion and resilience. By transforming an aging facility into a vibrant and welcoming space, we are helping to restore community pride and provide a “third place,” away from home and work, where residents of all ages can communally pass the time. The Swansea Recreation Center is expected to open in spring 2026.