Cumming Aquatic Center Coming Along Swimmingly
City officials hope to have the beautiful new center opened by June.
Cumming's new $13 million aquatic center is coming along swimmingly.
Project Manager Ray Neal said it will be completed in mid-May. City officials will take a couple of weeks for a final inspection before opening the doors to visitors sometime in June.
The 50,000-square foot facility was designed by the Howell Group of Marietta and was loosely modeled after the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center in Gainesville.
"We're very excited about this project," Cumming Assistant Administrator Steve Bennett said recently. "It's going to be a great benefit to the community."
Swimming has become a very popular sport at the high school level and Bennett anticipates being able to host regional and state meets."When you have special events like that, it has a ripple effect on the local economy with people coming here and staying at the hotels and motels and shopping locally and eating at our restaurants."
The center will include two indoor pools, one of which will be a 10-lane, Olympic-sized 50-meter competition pool with permanent seating for more than 700 spectators and temporary seating for an additional 300. Permanent seating is on the second level and every seat has an excellent view of the pool.
The second indoor pool will have a therapeutic pool with four lanes that is wheelchair accessible. There also is a spacious dressing area with lockers.
Outdoors there is a kiddie play pool plus a lazy river spray and mushroom area surrounded by cabanas. Like most capital projects the city builds, the aquatic center will be fully funded before it opens.
Forsyth County agreed to be a partner, committing $10 million from a $100 million green space SPLOST.
"Like everything we build, it's a county facility too," Bennett said. The facility will be open to everyone, but Bennett noted, "We're going to take care of city and county residents first.
"City officials haven't decided on how to charge for admission yet, but they have decided not to sell memberships. Day passes for individuals and families are being considered.
Bennett also anticipates renting swim lanes in the competition pool to local high schools and community swim teams that want to practice in an Olympic-sized pool.
Sadly, City Park pool which was built in 1972 where so many Forsyth County natives spent their summer days, has outlived its usefulness and will be closed.
Bennett said the pool started falling in attendance when the building boom hit and so many new subdivisions began building their own community pools. But it was those community pools that seemed to spark an interest in competitive swimming.
"That interest is what got this project going," Bennett said.
City officials expect to hire a manager, assistant manager and operations manager. Applications will be accepted at the end of February.
Paul Baron
9:09 am on Monday, February 21, 2011
Are there plans for Masters Swimming programs? Dedicated times for adult lap swimming?
Bill Johnson
4:27 pm on Monday, February 21, 2011
Hi Paul, and thank you for reading CummingPatch.
Cumming officials are still developing their operational plan. Steve Bennett didn't mention a Masters Swimming program, but it is definitely something that should be looked at. City officials are anxious to have all area swim teams reserve lane times at the new facility. Dedicated times for adult lap swimming is a strong possibility since the aquatic center won't be selling memberships. Give Steve a call at 770-781-2010. He's heading things up for now. I'm sure he'll be glad to answer any other questions you may have.
Walt Taormina
3:19 am on Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I can't wait for this swim center to open. I just learned about it today, I have been a Cumming resident for just over a year and live in Hampton Golf Village where we do have an awesome outdoor pool, but of course it is seasonal and I want to swim year round for excercise. I drove thru the lot today and the architecture is quite impressive, it appears it will be a feather in the cap, for Forsyth County.
Bill Johnson
3:02 pm on Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Mayor Ford Gravitt and the City of Cumming are to be commended for their foresight in bringing this facility to Cumming. County Commissioners also showed sound judgment in partnering with the city. It will be a tremendous asset to the community and the good news is it is already paid for.
eric minix
3:12 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
When will the aquatic center be hiring? i am swim coach during the summer and have an extreme passion for swimming and would love to work at the new aquatic center is there a way to apply
Bill Johnson
3:55 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
Hi Eric, and thanks for reading Patch.
My understanding is they are now accepting resumes and will be hiring sometime next month. Good luck.
Julieanne
4:48 am on Monday, March 7, 2011
I am thoroughly excited about the Handicap pool area. As a person with MS I look forward to being able to SWIM. There are several SWIM for MS things that I would like to be a part of all I needed was an endless pool or lap pool. SO YEAY!
Bill Johnson
1:10 pm on Monday, March 7, 2011
Hi Julieanne,
Thank you for reading Patch. I share you're excitement. The Aquatic Center is going to be a great addition to the community. Who knows, this could be the training ground for future Olympians and Special Olympians.
Adam
11:38 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
I'm really looking forward to having a place to swim laps so close to home. This will be awesome!!
Bill Johnson
1:11 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Hi Adam,
Thanks for reading Patch. It won't be long now! If you get a chance, write a letter to the mayor and let him and the city council know how excited you are.
Cheryl
12:02 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
I read that there will be a daily fee for people wanting to use the pool, is there any plans for a yearly- or summer- pass? I live across the street, and can't wait for the Aquatic Center to open!
Bill Johnson
9:30 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Hi Cheryl and thanks for reading CummingPatch. It's been a while since I wrote the article, but I do remember the city will not sell memberships but at the time, plans were incomplete about dayly or yearly passes. Givem them a call. They may have that worked out by now.
Melony Witt
6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2011
I have been going to the Bogan Aquatic center in Buford with my kids (and having to pay non-resident fees =( .
Will this aquatic center have a waterslide like Buford? Thanks.
Kristin
8:03 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011
I, too am very interested in a Masters (Adult) Swim Program.
Before the schedule gets booked, please consider the need for this. Typically most aquatic centers offer a time early in the morning and then again in the evening. A set amount of lanes are reserved for these swimmers.
On another note, I hope that consideration of memberships will be reconsidered. It would be nice to have family memberships available (a lot like Gainseville City Pool offers) or a Masters Program price, along with individual day prices or summer (3 month) packages.
Bill Johnson
3:47 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Hi Kristin and thank you for reading Cumming Patch. I hope you enjoy the pool. My understanding is they are firm on not offering memberships. They will, however, have family passes for a day or a month.
Angela Gresham
10:01 am on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
I am plamming to use the indoor pool for exercise after work. Please reserve adult lanes! I'd also like to know more about the outdoor pool schedule. Lanierland and the cumming city pool have a lot of day cares during the day - which makes it very crowded for families to enjoy. Will there be daycare times, and then family times?
Also, the day passes for families. Will this be something like what Lake Lanier Islands or Federal Parks do, where you buy a year pass? I would prefer something like this, vs just daily passes.
Kristin
9:30 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
I have to ask...what is the reasoning on not offering memberships?
Frances Zyvoloski
3:32 pm on Friday, April 22, 2011
Frances Z
Growing up in Fla I was a member of a competition swim team for over 10 yrs. I am looking forward to
the opportunity to get back into the pool. As a senior citizen it is something I will really enjoy. When can we find out how and when we can join? Can we be notified by "E" mail??? Cannot wait!!!!
Roni
9:40 pm on Sunday, April 24, 2011
i'm been following the process of the Aquatic Center for a year now when i first heard we were getting one. I'm thrilled as I really need the exercise, and because it's only about 2 miles from my front door. I am interested in finding out the fees, membership (i heard no memberships are involved), cost. I'm hoping for water aerobic classes too. Since I work 8 to 5 Mon - Fri, I am hoping for later hours then the Hearthstone Lodge has currently.
Cain Harris
9:56 pm on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
As an 18 year resident, and the father of a 6 six year old girl, I am very pleased to have the Cumming city Pool opening soon. The place looks great and my daughter spoted the huge slide this week; we are both looking forward to the Grand Opening. I wish the City would reconsider yearly passes for those interested.
Thanks
Bill Johnson
4:01 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Hi Cain and thanks for being a CummingPatch reader. My understanding is that they will have yearly passes, however, there will not be an memberships sold. To confirm that, give the city's Parks & Rec. Dept. a call.
maryjeancostello
8:08 pm on Sunday, May 1, 2011
Where any grants awarded to the city of Cumming for the construction of this phenomenal pool?
Bill Johnson
4:03 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Hi, Mary Jean,
Thank you for being a CummingPatch reader. To my knowledge there were no grants awarded. However, I admire the way city officials refuse to carry any debt. This facility was paid for before it opened.
JoAnne Loftus
8:27 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2011
Yes, I want to bring my handicapped friend and her children.
What will the price be?
Coupons?
This is an excellent idea!
JoAnne Loftus-
Liz Kennedy
11:50 am on Monday, May 9, 2011
Hi JoAnne,
See our story here - http://patch.com/A-g7HT - regarding more information about the aquatic center. And thanks for reading Cumming Patch!
Juanita Mask
9:46 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
We would love to use the aquatic center and are really looking forward to its opening. We have lived here over 23 years, since before the "building boom." We aren't fortunate enough to have a neighborhood pool, so this is a welcome addition to our community. Will you offer swimming lessons or exercise classes? One thing we're particularly interested in is day time classes for home school students during the school year. We need PE hours, and this would be the perfect opportunity. It would be nice if there could also be classes for the Moms at the same time.
Penny
10:50 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
We are so excited about the new Aquatic Center! My 5-yr old saw the slide from the street yesterday and was completely overjoyed!!! Will the center be holding swim classes and will birthday parties be allowed there??
Penny
Neil Stapley
10:25 am on Friday, May 13, 2011
Ok well now the city has released the pricing structure for the pool which is great. Its a bit more expensive than similar facitlies in Gainsville and Buford, which I guess is a non-issue seen as I am still going to use it as its a 5 minute walk from my front door. Would have been nice to have a family annual pass.
Neil Stapley
10:27 am on Friday, May 13, 2011
http://www.cityofcumming.net/Cumming_Aquatic_Center.pdf
Mysti Thacker
12:21 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
I am SO excited about the opening...wondering if there will be opportunities for swimming lessons (beginner), pricing, and how to get registered.
Liz Kennedy
12:41 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
Hi Mysti,
See our story here - http://patch.com/A-g7HT - regarding more information about the aquatic center...thanks for posting your comment!
concerned about it
2:19 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
amazing.......... no money for public safety or public works but a multi million dollar pool facility? Side note in case you havent realized theres a multi million gallon lake a mile from the location, dump money onto it so people can go there...... budget crunch? Ha
Neil Stapley
8:18 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The facility was already paid for prior to any credit crunch/budget issues, paid from a 1c sales tax, secondly I am glad my son will be able to go swimming all year round something I don't think he could do in the multi millon gallon lake.
Penny
12:10 pm on Thursday, June 2, 2011
I understand the center is opening in late June. Do you know how I can reserve a pavillion for my daughter's b-day party? The previous email stated that they would allow birthday parties there but will not handle them, but we were free to reserve pavillions. The party will be in late June and I would like to reserve now if at all possible. Thanks so much for any information that you have. Penny
sherry
10:36 pm on Thursday, June 2, 2011
Can one swim in the outdoor pool or is it mostly for kids? I understand there are two indoor pools but one won't be used except for competition so that leaves the other pool for swimming and exercise only. I've been watching the news and reading the Patch for updates - i hope they will open before June is over.
Liz Kennedy
5:47 pm on Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Hi Patcher's,
QUICK UPDATE: Please check our latest story on some of your questions here: http://patch.com/A-h3cP and as of Tuesday, June 6, according to Cumming City Administrator Gerald Blackburn, no official opening date has been determined. He hopes to have an opening date to announce sometime next week and we will have that information here on Cumming Patch.
ansley
5:42 pm on Monday, June 27, 2011
i went to the aquatic center today in cumming ga with my neighbors they are 7 and 9 years old and they loved it so much. i think the lazy river was a great thing to add. i was a little disapointed about the pools there are only 2 indoor pools and no outside ones and the in side pools only allowed you in one of the pools and you must be 48 inches to go on the 1 slide. but over all it was fun and great for kids.
sherry
8:18 pm on Monday, June 27, 2011
Thanks Ansley. I was so afraid that this would be the case. Where do adults get to swim or just relax in the pool - just to cool off from the hot summer? How deep is the outdoor pool? I'm sure hoping to have aerobic classes in the theraputic pool and at times I can attend. It will be maddening if after several years that I have been waiting for this pool area to be built, that they don't have it open at times I can swim. I work 8-5pm mon thru fri and would love to get some exercise after work. I'm glad it's a nice place for the children though - I'm sure it's going to be very crowded most days.
Conni
10:38 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Kudos to the designers of the aquatic center. The "lazy" river is anything but: The kids are bouncing, swimming, moving, resisting the current, and getting lots of exercise. As a senior citizen, I felt I got a decent workout too. I WOULD like to see a regular pool outside. The lap pool and instructional pool are awesome. All in all, this facility is a coup for Forsyth County.
Does anyone know what's going to happen to the old city pool?