The Batavia Park District
Quarry Beach Aquatic Center began as a limestone quarry in
the mid-1800’s. Located adjacent to the Fox River and just
south of the business district, the quarry was the source of
building materials for many of Batavia’s historic limestone
buildings. After being abandoned as a quarry, it was filled with
water and began to be used for swimming. In the 1930’s,
as a W.P.A. project, a diving platform and park shelter were
constructed of the native stone. Later, a concrete block bathhouse
and pumphouse were added and it became a municipal swimming facility.
BCA
was commissioned to create a contemporary
outdoor aquatic facility. The outdated concrete block buildings
were removed and new bathhouses, concessions, admissions and
pool offices were constructed. The original stone structures
were restored and became the inspiration for the architectural
expression and scale of the new buildings. The completed project
provides state-of-the-art aquatic facilities while preserving
an important historic element of the community. |
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