Design Matters: Precision Staking for Aquatic Center Construction

Building aquatic centers, with their various components such as pools, lazy rivers, water slides, and other custom features, requires exact placement, tight tolerances and a clear understanding of construction stages. Early construction staking sets the foundation for everything that follows. In projects with prefabricated pools, even small misalignments can cause costly delays. Our Construction Staking team plans ahead, anticipating obstacles and setting up the control network to avoid problems.

Building the Foundations: Control Network First

The staking process starts with a robust control network. Michael Miller, a member of the FOCUS Construction Staking department explains, “You have to think months in advance of where you’re going to set up your total station to anticipate and avoid obstacles that may get placed in the way. What’s going to be on the site really must be considered when you’re setting that control network up.” He chooses reference points outside the construction zone, far enough away to avoid interference but close enough for accurate setup. From those points, the crew runs a “localization” to create new control points. These points become the basis for every stake, elevation, and layout. This early focus on accuracy ensures digging, formwork, and panel placement all line up as designed.

Prefabrication: Why Accuracy Can’t Wait

Pools and water features from clients like CEM Aquatics are prefabricated with materials imported overseas, leaving no flexibility for error. Michael says, “It’s got to be right where it’s supposed to be, or else it’s not going to fit. That’s why it’s different from other projects, because it’s so precise.” Even small mistakes can prevent panels from fitting, drains from working or features from aligning. When parts arrive from overseas with tight bolt patterns and embedded drains, the crews must precisely place each component before construction continues. Accuracy isn’t just about what’s visible. Drains, plumbing and slopes must also be exact. Michael notes, “Once it’s in, that’s it. You don’t want to have to dig up your lazy river because you placed a pool drain in the wrong spot.” Construction can adjust surface slopes with concrete, but hidden elements cannot move. Early, precise and repeatable staking is essential.

Consistency and Crew Coordination

Large aquatic projects happen in phases. Each phase must match previous control points. Michael explains, “You could get a setup that’s very precise but not accurate or accurate but not precise. What we’re striving for is both every single time we’re on site.” If crews don’t match prior work, installations can be misaligned or unusable. Early detection and communication are critical.

What sets FOCUS crews apart is the trust and communication built through vulnerability and a steady willingness to accept critical feedback. Michael explains that this trust begins in training, “We can take somebody who knows nothing about our industry and within four to six months we can put a rod in their hands and ask them to run a crew for us.” Openness to critical feedback, trust, and an understanding of the bigger picture make staking more than a task. FOCUS ensures the work is done right and on time. Precise networks, disciplined staking, and coordinated crews give clients confidence, and help them to make a successful “splash” with each project.

To partner with FOCUS Consulting, contact our team at info@focus-es.com or (801) 352-0075.