Below is a press release submitted by Advocates for Alexandria Aquatics.
Alexandria, VA – Advocates for Alexandria Aquatics, (AAA), http://alexandriaaquatics.com/ is a dedicated group of private citizens who are working to improve the aquatic experience in the City of Alexandria, Virginia. The group has been formed to provide a private partnership with the public sector of our city. We have been tasked with raising $2.5M to insure a 50meter indoor swimming pool is built. Without our portion it is doubtful the pool will become a reality.
Current Situation
The City’s two outdoor and one indoor swimming pool’s are either failing or inadequate to provide for the needs of our community. Three small neighborhood pools closed in 2010 due to lack of funding for maintenance and operation.
At present there is a waiting list of over 200 for swimming lessons at Chinquapin Aquatic Center. There is not enough pool space to meet the need for beginning swimming lessons, therapeutic user needs, water exercise classes, water sports instruction (Synchro, Water Polo, kayaking etc.), water safety instruction, recreational lap swimming, recreational free swim, Masters swim practice, swim team practice time for high school swim teams in our city; TC Williams, Bishop Ireton, Saint Stephens Saint Agnes, Alexandria Country Day and the USS Potomac Marlins Swim Team. Chinquapin was built 35 years ago and not of regulation length to hold swim meets.
The GOAL
AAA is working to support the building of a new 50meter indoor pool in addition to the current pool. This will provide the necessary space to meet the current and future aquatic needs. This would also provide space to offer swim instruction for our Alexandria Public Schools elementary students through the PE curriculum and our Make A Splash Local Partnership. The new facility will also offer an additional venue for USS swim meets.
The new facility will support our City’s goal to be a ‘Healthy and Thriving Community’. The City’s 2012 Aquatic Study pointed out that 120,000 people use the existing facilities, but with this new facility well over 300,000 people could be served. Water activities are one of the few activities that can be used by all ages, shapes, and sizes.
How you can HELP
Please visit our website, http://alexandriaaquatics.com/ to find out more information about our very large endeavor. We hope you will support our effort with a donation that meets your level of giving.
One hundred percent of the funds raised will go directly to the construction of the new
50meter pool facility.
AAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Swim Together to ‘Fuel the Pool’
So everyone can swim!! We need these pools and we need to give our kids this life-long and life-saving skill!
I live in the area and this would be a much needed addition, especially for High school and USA swimming