Maryland Aquatic Centers Get Safe, Durable, Clean Surfaces

SUNDEK of Washington resurfaced two aquatic centers in Prince George’s County to provide non-slip, long-lasting, and easy-to-clean pool decks for thousands of visitors every year.
Posted by admin on January 4, 2022 in Blog

When Prince George’s County in Maryland began planning the development of seven brand-new indoor aquatic facilities for the county, they needed the right contractors to complete the work.

SUNDEK of Washington resurfaced the brand-new pool deck at Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex in Brandywine, MD.

Having met the Director of Aquatics for the county a few years prior, Bob Miller of SUNDEK of Washington knew about the upcoming project and put in a bid to complete the pool decks for each of the indoor pool areas. Traditionally, the county had opted for plain concrete or tile for the deck around their indoor pools, but when they saw what SUNDEK could do for the aquatic centers with decorative concrete, they were impressed.

Bob Miller of SUNDEK of Washington recommended SUNDEK’s Classic Texture product for the pool decks. Its texture gives the surfaces a finish that’s not slippery—ideal for a pool area that will see visitors of all ages.

Past experience has shown the county that plain concrete or tile surfaces aren’t the optimal material for a pool deck—especially one that’s indoors. Being porous, plain concrete and grout are prime for soaking up water in addition to oils from sunscreen and other contaminants. Having a porous surface in an indoor facility can also increase the growth opportunities for mold and mildew. It’s also nearly impossible to get a bacteria-free space with these materials.

Indoor pools benefit from SUNDEK’s antimicrobial finish which prevents the growth of mold, mildew, and other bacteria.

Miller proposed SUNDEK’s Classic Texture product—renowned in the industry for being the original spray texture overlay system. Customers love a Classic Texture surface for its slip-resistant texture, non-porous acrylic finish, comfort, and durability. For the aquatic complex, all these qualities were must-haves.

SUNDEK products come in a wide array of colors, and the county opted for neutral Tweed Gray which coordinates nicely with the other colors in the aquatic center.

Miller also recommended using SUNDEK’s Classic Texture System with antimicrobial protection. This extra safeguard inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi—critical in an indoor pool area. Adding this protection further enhances the cleanliness of the surface, and for an aquatic center that sees a multitude of people every day and doesn’t necessarily have professional cleaners (sometimes the person cleaning is a high school kid with a hose and a mop) this benefit was a major selling point.

Though the architectural firm and county employees on the project were convinced that a Classic Texture System would create be the best surface for the space, getting approved to do work with a municipality is not a simple task.

At the Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex in Fort Washington, MD, the county opted for Classic Texture in Oyster White.

Over the course of about 1.5 to 2 years, Miller met with the county several times to provide samples and answer questions. Miller took the county representatives to the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, where they had applied Classic Texture System, so the potential client could see the surface in action. In the end, SUNDEK of Washington was selected to resurface the new pool decks and locker rooms for all seven of the new county aquatic facilities.

When it came to choosing a design, SUNDEK of Washington provided the county with a multitude of options for pattern and color. Prince George’s County opted to keep it simple, selecting Tweed Gray for the complex in Brandywine and Oyster White for Fort Washington’s complex. The straightforward design blends with the color scheme used on other elements at the aquatic centers.

At the Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex in Brandywine, MD, SUNDEK of Washington resurfaced 4,800 square feet using Classic Texture in Tweed Gray. For the Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex in Fort Washington, MD, the crews resurfaced the 3,200 square feet of space using Classic Texture in Oyster White.

Using decorative concrete at their facilities was a first for Prince George County, and they are very pleased with the result. Having an easy-to-clean, antimicrobial surface proved to be an invaluable feature of the SUNDEK Classic Texture System, as the facilities were completed right before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The pool deck has been easy to keep clean, providing peace of mind for both visitors and employees. The county also opted to add on SUNDEK’s ongoing maintenance program which includes crews coming out to inspect it and professionally clean it once a year.

Miller notes that he and his crews are looking forward to continuing their work with Prince George County as they complete five more aquatic facilities over the course of the next few years.

Related: Decorative Concrete Resurfacing in Baltimore

Looking for a contractor to resurface your pool deck?

At SUNDEK of Washington, we install beautiful, safe, and clean pool decks at municipal facilities, waterparks, and more.

Contact us about your project