Echo Hollow Pool wins Award of Excellence

Katie Ledecky isn't the only one collecting gold medals this year.

Echo Hollow Pool & Fitness Center earned the 2024 International Award of Excellence Gold Award from the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. The award program is one of the largest, most well-renowned design competitions in the industry with the award recognizing exceptional installations of pools, spas and hot tubs that showcase beautiful, creative and innovative designs.

"I have been coming to Echo Hollow Pool since I was a child and it's always been a special facility for our community," said Rob Guthrie, Echo Hollow's pool manager. "This award is wonderful as it recognizes the hard work and dedication of the entire team and the commitment from our community to support, maintain and improve our amazing facilities."

Echo Hollow's design was judged on its energy efficiency, community involvement, uniqueness and overall aesthetic. A full write-up of the award - and Echo's award-winning features - will appear in October's edition of AQUA Magazine.

The nearly 50-year-old facility closed for renovation in February 2020 and reopened in June the next year following $11.5 million in improvements thanks to funding from the Parks and Recreation Bond measure passed by Eugene voters in 2018. The outdoor pool was expanded to maximize lap swim lanes and to create enough space to host water polo practices and matches. A brand-new 3,490-square-foot activity pool was added to the south, which includes a slide that twists and turns swimmers a total of 134 feet before shooting them into the water below. Additionally the entire facility became more energy efficient by the addition of 167 solar panels and upgraded LED lighting.

"Working through the upgrades and additions as part of the design team was an honor," Guthrie said. "The addition of an activity pool with a slide, expanded outdoor pool, updated locker rooms, accessibility improvements, energy efficiency improvements and new office space has ensured that Echo Hollow Pool will continue to be the jewel of West Eugene for another 50 years."