The Patriot Natatorium
Completed in 1996, Stevenson’s Patriot Aquatic Center is truly one of the finest natatoriums in Illinois. It was built as part of a new addition to the school, which included new classrooms, a performing arts center, and a new fieldhouse. Located at 1 Stevenson Drive, just west of the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue (IL Rt 21) and Half Day Road (IL Rt 22).
The Patriot Aquatic Center is the only 8-lane indoor 50 meter pool at an Illinois High School. Thanks to moveable bulkheads, the pool can be configured in a variety of ways, including 2 25-yard pools (shown here). The pool can also be configured to short course meters and long course meters. In fact, PAC has hosted 5 Age Group State Championship meets at Stevenson since the Aquatic Center was completed. It has also seen numerous Sectional Swimming & Diving Competitions and hosted each and every IHSA Water Polo State Championship Tournament.
The balcony allows for over 1,000 spectators to view competition. In addition, the South end of the pool has a glass window adjacent to a viewing area which can accomodate another 500 spectators in a climate-controlled environment. At the east end, spectators can get some fresh air and sunshine in the courtyard, adjacent to the football stadium.
PAC also has some of the finest accomodations for divers, as well. In addition to a hot tub, the Patriot Aquatic Center has two 1-meter diving boards, a 3-meter diving board, and a TiVo system for immediate dive replay. The 14-foot diving well comes with 2 water agitators underneath each 1-meter board.
All competitions are conducted with the electronics of Colorado Timing Systems. The gem of the facility is a 160 x 80 Digital Matrix Display board at the North end. Virtually all of the electronic wiring is built into the deck, allowing PAC to run meets with nearly no wiring or harness cables on the deck at all.
Other perks of the facility include an Apple Computers Airport, allowing wireless internet access throughout the facility, suit dryers in each locker room, and a highly talented staff of individuals which help monitor the pool temperature and chemistry 24 hours a day.
