Jamail Texas Swim Center, University of Texas, Austin
Materials
The most dramatic change in the center’s renovated locker room is the centerpiece of the space: hundreds of lockers. The old steel lockers, which were badly rusted and damaged, were replaced with Bradley’s Lenox Lockers, which are made of a solid high-density polyethylene that remains unaffected by moisture, humidity and chlorine. With an absorption rate of nearly 0, the lockers resist odors and are designed to withstand impact, dents and scratches that would easily damage metal lockers.
Charles Logan, director of the Jamail Texas Swim Center, specified the color Spice for the two-tiered Lenox Lockers to reinforce the room’s new burnt-orange color scheme (the school colors are burnt orange and white). He explains: “Aside from their durability, the lockers were easy to install because they are shipped in one solid piece so they’re ready to go after unpacking. Plus, the lockers have been easy to clean and maintain: Markers and dirt can be wiped right off with a rag and regular cleaning solution.”
Lenox Lockers come with a 20-year guarantee. “It’s been almost two years since installation, and these lockers continue to look excellent and show no signs of damage,” Logan says. “We’ve heard many positive comments from visitors, so I’m glad to say that Lenox Lockers helped achieve my original goal of raising customer satisfaction.”
Locker Manufacturer: Bradley Corp.
The Retrofit
Renowned as one of the best collegiate Olympic-sized competition pools in the world, the Jamail Texas Swim Center holds an average of 40 national-level swim competitions every year. As a result, its locker room is subject to high-traffic, repeated usage, and a challenging moist and humid environment.
Logan wanted the center’s locker room to take on more of a contemporary and inviting appearance. He also wanted to ensure new lockers were highly durable and worthy of customer satisfaction. “Our old metal lockers were plagued with terrible rust issues,” Logan says. “My top goals for this renovation were to improve the overall look of the locker room, use sturdy lockers proven to uphold daily wear and tear—even in a moist and harsh area, like a swimming area—and, ultimately, increase the overall satisfaction of those who visit our facility.”
Because swim locker rooms are notoriously tough environments to keep clean and well maintained, Logan worked with the university’s Planning and Construction Services department to facilitate the renovation.
PHOTOS: Bradley Corp.