Erected in about 200 days, Shanghai American School’s second Aquatic Center officially opened on Wednesday, March 3, joining the excellent facility on the Puxi campus to be one of two beautiful swimming centers for the school.

The capacious new center on the Pudong campus rivals if not exceeds any such international school facility in Southeast Asia. Designed in 2005 by the US architect (H2L2), the Pudong Aquatic Center is centered between the HS classroom building and the gymnasiums.  The new Aquatic Center can be accessed internally from all schools.  With a total area of 2,282 square meters, this indoor aquatic facility houses an 8-lane pool (25 x 20.4 = 510 M²) with non-slip tile decking and a water-to-edge gutter system. Other pool features include:

• Two sets of boys and girls locker rooms (for home and guest teams)
• Spectator area with 168 seats on the second level.
• Office area with full view of the pool. 
• The pool area and water is designed to reach a temperature of 30 C during operation.
• Floor warmers for comfort and to prevent window fog.
• High quality professional grade non-slip starting blocks.
• Emergency care apparatus located inside of the pool’s staff office.
• High grade water filtering system.
• State-of-the-art timing system imported from the US.  This system includes a touch pad, mounted digital clock and remote computer controls.
• The pool and system qualify for use in professional swimming competitions.

Thanks to the careful planning, hard work and dedication of the School’s Project Team, Pool Directors, Support Services Group and Administrators, this major construction project went smoothly.  This project represents a significant contribution to the school’s physical education, sports, and safety programs, and promises to be a valuable asset that will draw new families to the campus.

In his welcoming remarks, Superintendent Harlan Lyso said that the “SAS Board has long been committed to ensuring that the educational facilities provided on both SAS campuses are world class and that they support the school’s curricular and extracurricular programs.”

He went on to pay tribute to the many individuals and organizations without whose skills and dedication the Aquatics Center could not have happened. “Building a facility as complex as an aquatics center is a daunting challenge anywhere in the world,” he said. “The fact that the facility was completed on time and exhibits the quality work that continues to be a trademark of SAS facilities is the result of a LOT of people doing their work extremely well. This whole idea began with the Facilities Task Force, a subcommittee of the board.  Through the vision and dedication of the task force, the concept of this amazing facility was born.  The SAS Board then evidenced its commitment to this project by allocating funds for the construction despite the unavailability of external funds. Over the years we have had an extraordinarily satisfying relationship with China #6 Construction. As they have been involved in several SAS construction projects, when China #6 won the construction contract there was a sense of confidence that may not have existed with another construction company.  Under the supervision of project managers, Dave and Yi Triplett, the project developed from a vision to a big hole in the ground to the remarkable facility we have here today.  All of us within the SAS community should be grateful for the good work of so many people who have played an important role in the fulfillment of the vision of a world class aquatics center at SAS Pudong.”

Lyso then turned to the Director of the Pudong Campus Aquatics Center (Jon Biros, Director of the Puxi Campus Aquatics Center was standing nearby), and said, “Today we officially turn the facility over to George Carpouzis and the aquatics team knowing that for years to come this facility will be an incredible resource in the lives of current and future SAS students.  I know I speak for all students and parents when I express gratitude to all who played a role in bringing the vision of an aquatics center at SAS Pudong to a reality.  From this day forward aquatics is alive and well at SAS Pudong.”

After greetings from Chris Beede of the US Consulate, and some words from High School Principal, Jonathan Borden, guests were invited to tour the facilities and snack on a buffet provided by Eurest, while Coach Carpouzis, got the Pudong campus swim team in the water demonstrating different swimming strokes for onlookers.
CONGRATULATIONS!

Individuals attending ribbon-cutting ceremony, offering their congratulations and best wishes included:

Mr. Huang Xiaofeng, Mayor of Heqing Town

Ms. Wang Qin Li, Deputy Town Mayor

Mr. Feng Zhi, Director Assistant & Section Chief of International Cooperation Division, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission

Chris Beede, Deputy Principal Officer, US Consulate Shanghai

Keenton Chiang, Commerical Officer, US Consulate Shanghai, Board Member

Mery Montgomery, Robert Song, Cindy Qui: Current members of the Board of Directors

Katie Ferguson and Karen Chow, PTSA presidents, Pudong and Puxi campuses respectively

David Leung, CFO/CBO

Dave and Yi Triplett, Project Managers

Mr. Ma, Mr. Ma, Mr. Chen, China #6 Construction Representatives  

Danny Zhang, Shanghai Links General Manager

Lillian Zhao, Shanghai Links Service Manager

Martin Zhang, Maria Tree, Raymond McDaid, David Yeh, Faciliities Task Force Members

By Timothy MERRILL, Editor, The Eagle; and Dave TRIPLETT, Project Manager