Madison swimmers could soon have a place of their own to practice and compete without having to leave the city.
The city of Madison and Madison City Schools unveiled plans Wednesday for the roughly 25,000-square-foot Madison Aquatic Center at Field Five in Dublin Park.
Mayor Ranae Bartlett said the project has been needed for years.
“Our residents have waited for the day Madison would have a facility that matches the talent and dedication of our swim community,” Bartlett said. “That wait is coming to an end.”
Dublin Park already has indoor and outdoor pools, but the new center would be geared toward competitive swimming and adult fitness programs. It also would be available for swim lessons and other recreational use.
Madison City Schools Superintendent Eric Terrell said swim teams from Bob Jones High School and James Clemens High School have dealt with limited pool space and long trips to find places to train and compete.
Some teams have traveled as far as Albertville to find a regulation-sized pool.
“Our student athletes have shown incredible commitment, training in limited space, traveling to other communities, adapting to whatever pool time they can find, all because they love this sport, and they love representing Madison,” Terrell said. “This project changes that. A new aquatic center means our swim programs can train and compete year-round without being at the mercy of the seasons or the availability of someone else’s pool.”
The city and school system plan to share the cost of the project, although a final budget has not been determined.
Design work is underway, with input expected from city staff, swim coaches and the Madison Recreation Advisory Board.
After the design is finished, the project will go out for bid. Construction is expected to take about two years.
The completed center will include seating for parents and spectators during swim meets.
The aquatic center would take the place of one of Dublin Park’s existing fields. The rest of the park would remain open with its indoor and outdoor pools, soccer fields, tennis courts, gymnasium and other amenities.
Zachary Austin is a writer for 256 Today. You can contact him at [email protected].
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