Let the Competition Begin

Completed in 2004, the G.W. Henderson, Sr., Aquatic Center in Tunica, Mississippi is an aquatic facility that exceeds many expectations. The 39,000 square foot state-of-the-art Aquatic Center is Mississippi's largest natatorium. Features include a 2,000-square-foot children's play pool with spray features; an 8-lane, 50-meter Olympic regulation competition pool; a 17-foot diving well; 1- and 3-meter springboards; and 1.5, 7.5, and 10 meter platforms. The center is named for G.W. Henderson, Sr., a pillar of the Tunica community and a board member to Tunica County Parks and Recreation.

"This was a great project for everyone, especially Tunica County," said Jake Fowler of Worsham Brothers Construction, the project's contractor. "Pryor & Morrow Architects, CTS and Worsham Brothers all worked very closely on the installation of the timing system and video display. Tunica County is getting a lot of use out of the facility."

Director of Parks and Recreation for Tunica County Billy Willis commented that the new facility opened up opportunities they'd never had before. "This aquatic center has really opened up avenues for us as far as hosting collegiate and local swim meets," said Willis. "Since its opening, we have hosted the Rhodes College Invitational Swim Meet, which included Delta State University, Hendrix College, Henderson College, Lambuth University, University of the South and Rhodes College, as well as several local meets. We were chosen to host these events because the Colorado Time Systems equipment we have in place is the same as most NCAA Championship meets."

The primary companies involved include Colorado Time Systems, Tunica County Recreation Commission, Pryor & Morrow Architects and Worsham Brothers Construction Company. The architects and construction company used the direction of CTS to ensure that all aquatic needs were met. CTS designed the aquatic system and supplied the facility with start systems, timing systems, starting platforms, touchpads, relay judging platforms, and a beautiful video display board. The 35mm RGB video display can display a wide range of images, including DVDs, scoring information, and live camera feeds with or without scoring overlays.

Pryor & Morrow's Mark Maloy started by sending CTS the design concept for the new facility. CTS reviewed the design and made detailed suggestions on the placement of seating, starting platforms, deck and wall plates, and the scoreboard/video display.

"Working on this project really got me excited," said Mark Roberts of CTS. "Mark Maloy's vision demanded the latest technology in aquatics timing and video display systems -- demands only CTS could meet. We proposed a complete system which integrated seamlessly with the designed infrastructure. With the execution by Worsham Brothers the result is something for the rest of the aquatics industry to strive for."

"Shortly after beginning the project," Maloy said, "CTS was involved with technical help and provided us with assistance to deliver a quality state-of-the-art facility for Tunica County. CTS was very helpful in providing technical information and reviewing and advising on our layouts for timing and scoring equipment. He was also invaluable in guiding the selection of equipment that was used for the facility."

Through the transfer of AutoCAD files and detailed wiring schematics, drawing revisions, and conduit requirements between CTS and Pryor & Morrow, Maloy was able to provide information to the involved sub-contractors, who integrated the complete timing system into the facility design.

The competition pool and diving well are equipped with complete timing, scoring and display systems that include: QuickConnect deck plates, wall plates, touchpads, touchpad caddy, starting platforms, relay judging platforms with Speedlights, Championship start systems, System 6 Timing System with Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming, and Pace Clock software, QuickStart, pushbuttons, underwater speakers, remote judging terminals, pace clocks, and a 35mm RGB video display.

"The neatest aspect to this facility is its versatility," said Maloy. "The center caters to different age groups and different types of swimmers. Synchronized swimmers and divers, and recreational swimmers and divers too. The message center/scoreboard has worked well during the swim meets, which the facility has hosted and for the 'Float and a Movie' events for local children on Friday evenings."