Virginia Tech’s Recreational Sports Department encountered a safety challenge at its aquatic facilities. Despite clear signage indicating closure, students and visitors continued to access the pool when it was unsupervised. After learning how ZonePro® barriers fixed a similar issue at a campus gym, the Aquatics team implemented our units as a practical solution for enhancing safety without compromising emergency accessibility.
The Problem:
Virginia Tech’s aquatic facilities faced a persistent safety issue: unauthorized access to the pool area. The traditional chain barriers and signage did little to prevent the issue, and with emergency exits required to remain accessible at all times, finding a solution that was both effective and adaptable was essential.
“We were having a problem with people entering our facility, specifically our pool area, when we were closed,” Lyncee Bowman, who oversees Aquatics, says. “And that’s obviously a safety concern if there are no lifeguards on duty.” The challenge was to find a barrier that not only blocked access visually but also maintained the required emergency exit functionality.
The Solution:
The solution came from within Virginia Tech’s Recreational Sports Department itself. The Assistant Director of Fitness had successfully used ZonePro® barriers to control access to the university’s fitness spaces. Impressed by the product’s functionality, Bowman opted to implement ZonePro® barriers — customized with Virginia Tech branding for aesthetics — to block off access to the pool area in the so-called “wet corridor.”
Our durable barriers provided a unique solution by being both a sizable deterrent to access and operationally flexible. The barriers, which provide 3-by-12 feet of coverage, could be easily deployed — and then instantly retracted into an inconspicuous 4-inch canister when no longer needed. They could also be customized with Virginia Tech’s branding, reinforcing the facility’s authority and professionalism while guiding students and visitors effectively.
The Results:
Implementing ZonePro® barriers made an immediate impact. Bowman observed that instances of unauthorized entry significantly decreased, largely resolving the issue that plagued the aquatic facilities prior to the installation. “We were getting phone calls all the time that people were just walking in,” Bowman shared, adding, “I’ve not had that since we installed it.”
The durability of the vinyl banners also stood out, with one remaining in excellent condition after two years of continuous use in a humid environment. Despite frequent handling and exposure to moisture, the fabric showed no signs of wear, reinforcing ZonePro®’s value as a reliable, long-term solution. While primarily used in the aquatic and fitness areas, the university sees potential for the barriers in other areas as awareness of the product grows.
“I truly do love the products,” Bowman says. “Making sure no one enters the building while figuring out how to keep the emergency exit doors available was a huge safety concern for Aquatics. ZonePro® offers a temporary solution that can be opened and closed as needed. Now, I don’t have to worry about safety at all.” Virginia Tech’s experience with ZonePro® barriers highlights the product’s effectiveness as an innovative and visually impactful solution for managing access in campus facilities.