Crawfish Aquatics to develop swimming, recreational facility on Siegen

Crawfish Aquatics is planning to submit an application to the Planning Commission next week to develop a 40,000-square-foot swimming and recreational facility at the 4.8-acre property it purchased in August on Siegen Lane near the intersection of Perkins Road. Architect Mark Ripple, whose New Orleans firm Eskew+Dumez+Ripple is designing the project, says the first phase of the facility will have two indoor pools for swimming lessons, lap swimming and recreational use, as well as an outdoor recreational pool and splash play area. The facility will also have indoor training and children’s play areas. Plans for a second phase include a 20,000-square-foot addition that will house a 50-meter competition pool. “It’s going to be a wonderful project,” says Ripple, whose brother, Steven Ripple, owns Crawfish Aquatics. “We are moving forward and are planning to have it ready for the summer of 2015.” Mark Ripple says the project will be similar to the SPAR Recreation and Aquatic Center in Sulphur, which has multiple pools and recreational areas. Though the design for the new Crawfish facility is still preliminary, Mark Ripple says plans call for incorporating a stormwater retention pond into a unique water feature in front of the building. “Because the facility is about water, we are thinking why not really celebrate the water that comes off the roof and make a beautiful water feature right in front of the building, maybe a big pond with beautiful fish in it,” Ripple says. “We want to make it something kids and family will enjoy.” Crawfish Aquatics was founded in 1999 and offers year-round competitive swimming programs for children, teens and adults. It is currently based at the Ketcham Fitness Center at 7150 Bluebonnet Blvd. —Stephanie Riegel