University of Maryland Baltimore

The University of Maryland Baltimore transformed campus recreation in 2009 with a 3,455 square foot elevated competition pool designed by Counsilman-Hunsaker—a facility that uniquely combines the technical demands of competitive swimming with the engineering complexity of high-rise construction. This project demonstrates that rooftop aquatics can serve serious athletic programming, not just leisure activities, when the right expertise converges.

Building a competition pool above ground level presents challenges that extend far beyond traditional aquatic construction: structural loads from deep water, vibration considerations from starting blocks and diving, and mechanical systems that must deliver NCAA-caliber water quality while operating in constrained equipment spaces. Main Line Commercial Pools coordinated this technical symphony within an active urban campus where construction timelines were non-negotiable and the pool needed to integrate seamlessly with existing recreation facilities. The result is a facility that serves student athletes, intramural sports, fitness classes, and recreational swimmers—proving that elevated pools can meet the rigorous demands of university athletics while providing the versatility essential for comprehensive campus recreation programs. This project solidified our reputation as the contractor of choice for complex institutional aquatic facilities.