For many community recreation centers, expanding amenities often comes down to balancing member expectations with financial realities. Many facilities want to offer year-round programming and comfortable environments, but constructing dedicated indoor spaces can require significant investments and ongoing operating costs.
When the YMCA of the Suncoast began planning a new aquatics facility at the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA branch, staff faced this exact challenge. They wanted to provide members with an indoor-outdoor experience while avoiding the expenses and maintenance associated with building a traditional natatorium.
“We were looking for an indoor and outdoor solution for our new aquatics venue,” explained Tim Ackerman, the Vice President of Properties at the YMCA of the Suncoast. “DynaDome’s retractable dome was the most cost-effective and offered us maximum flexibility.”
More than a decade later, the partnership with DynaDome Retractable Structures continues to support the YMCA’s operational goal while enhancing the member experience.
Solving an Operational Challenge
Rather than investing in a permanent enclosed aquatics facility, the Y of the Suncoast sought a solution that could adapt to changing weather conditions without sacrificing programming flexibility.
DynaDome’s retractable structure gave the Y an alternative aligning with both its budget and long-term operational strategy. Instead of maintaining separate indoor and outdoor facilities, staff could quickly transition a single space to meet shifting conditions throughout the day.
“We can open the dome at will and close it if it becomes cold or rainy,” said Ackerman. “We’ve closed it overnight, opened it in the middle of the day and closed it again the same day hundreds of times, giving us control over the environment and our swimmers’ experience.”
According to Cihan Ozdemir, the Vice President of Sales at DynaDome Retractable Structures, this flexibility addresses a common challenge facing community rec centers.
“The DynaDome structure solves the challenge of having an indoor space and identical outdoor space without having to secure additional real estate,” said Ozdemir. “Converting outdoors to indoors in less than a minute for any event, programming or camp due to weather is extremely helpful for operating and scheduling those spaces.”
While operational efficiency has been a significant benefit, the Y says members feel the greatest impact.
“Our members love the dome,” said Ackerman. “It offers outdoor swimming and UV protection or indoor swimming with the flip of a switch.”
For community rec organizations, this consistency can strengthen member satisfaction while allowing staff to maximize use of existing facilities rather than investing in additional space.
A Long-Term Partnership
After working together for 10 years, the relationship between the Y of the Suncoast and DynaDome continues to be defined by reliability.
“The partnership between DynaDome, the Citrus Memorial Y and Tim’s team is valuable from the standpoint that they’re a longstanding end-user with such positive feedback from their membership,” said Ozdemir. “They recognize the value that DynaDome’s product brings to their Y and the ability to schedule and program with confidence.”
Ackerman points to the company’s continued support as one of the partnership’s biggest advantages. “Not many companies back their product 100% like DynaDome has,” he said.
For organizations evaluating options to expand programming without expanding their footprint, Ackerland encourages leaders to consider solutions that offer operational flexibility alongside their long-term value.
“I know it looks too good to be true, but it isn’t,” said Ackerman. “It’ll work for you the way it has for us. Member comfort is number one and this helps us to meet that demand.”
