Designing Central Pennsylvania’s Next Premier Aquatics Facility
In a 2012 feature by The Patriot-News, Ted and Susan Wallover, the founders of Wallover Architects, shared insights into their ambitious plan to bring a state-of-the-art aquatic and wellness center to Lancaster County. With decades of experience in aquatic and recreational design, the Wallovers’ vision for the TLC Aquatic Center was bold—a regional facility for competition, wellness, and community engagement.
“We wanted to build a different paradigm and make this a place where families could gather, but also provide wellness,” said Ted Wallover in the interview.
The 50-meter competition pool was just the beginning. The plans also included therapeutic pools, training spaces, wellness offices, and even a health-focused restaurant—blending aquatic performance with holistic community health.
Key Highlights from the Interview:
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The TLC Aquatic Center would serve school districts across the Lancaster-Harrisburg area, which lacked a centralized competitive facility.
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The facility was designed to be more than a natatorium—with amenities for therapeutic treatment, family recreation, and elite training.
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The project, budgeted at $43 million, already had over 80% of its space leased at the time of the interview.
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Wallover Architects expressed a strong interest in hosting championship-level events, including PIAA and District 3 meets.
Why This Matters
As leaders in specialized aquatic design, Wallover Architects continues to shape community and competitive swimming environments across Pennsylvania and beyond. Projects like Cumberland Valley, Spring Grove, and Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium showcase the firm’s long-standing expertise and commitment to delivering first-class aquatic architecture.
For Wallover Architects, the TLC Aquatic Center was more than just a pool—it was a vision for how architecture can bring communities together and support athletic excellence and wellness under one roof.
Read the full interview:
Patriot-News Q&A with Ted and Susan Wallover (June 2012)
📞 Contact us today at ewallover@walloverarchitects.com to explore our design services.
