In this video, Heather Hartmann, the editor of Campus Rec Magazine, talks with Mark Hines, the VP of sales and marketing at Paddock Pool Equipment Company. Hines shares why indoor pool air quality must be treated as critical infrastructure and a health priority — not just an added amenity — in campus recreation facilities.
Hines explains how, during the design or renovation of campus rec centers, indoor air quality strategies are often cut when budgets get tight, especially around controlling chloramines at the pool surface. But poor air quality can damage building systems, harm student health and drive higher long-term costs. He highlights systems like Paddock’s Evacuator, which captures contaminated air at the water surface and exhausts it before it cycles through HVAC, helping protect both the facility and the people using it. As campus facilities evolve to include features like lazy rivers, grottos and multipurpose spaces to attract and retain students, Hines stresses that safety, health and air quality must remain foundational.
Mark’s overarching message to campus recreation leaders is to do your homework, define non-negotiables early and build with a coordinated team rather than chasing the lowest bid.
