BY ANDREA PALMER<\/p>\n
An aquatic center is being proposed in Malta
\nwould have multiple swimming pools for training,
\ncompeting and fitness swimming.<\/p>\n
“A group of us got together about three years ago
\nand said, ‘wouldn’t it be great to have a 50 meter pool
\nin the Capital District?’ The closest Olympic-sized
\npool is about two hours away, and we all thought
\nthere was a need in our market for it,” said Tara
\nSullivan, one of three officers for what would be
\ncalled the Adirondack Aquatic Center.<\/p>\n
The group hired a consulting company to conduct
\na feasibility study.<\/p>\n
“Our consultant is very highly regarded in the
\ncompetitive aquatics world. He was president of
\nUSA Swimming, and he writes for FINA (the governing
\nbody of Olympic swimming and aquatic
\nsports),” said Sullivan.
\n“We went to a build-a-pool conference, where we
\nlearned how to build and program a pool facility.
\nWhat they recommended was a multi-pool concept.
\nYou can’t satisfy everyone with just one pool,” she
\nsaid. “It’s going to be cold for adults who want to
\nwork out in the water, or too hot for competitive
\nathletes who want to train. We came up with a plan
\nto have a warm water instruction pool, an aquatics
\ntherapy pool, a diving well and a 50 meter pool
\nthat can be divided into smaller spaces. It’s a very
\nversatile space.”<\/p>\n
“In the swimming world, deck space is always
\nimportant. We made sure in the plans we have room
\nfor 400 athletes on deck. Spectator seating will be on
\na second floor of a two-story building,” said Sullivan.<\/p>\n
The group met with each of the town board
\nmembers in Malta to gauge interest in the project.
\nMalta was chosen because it is the center of the
\nAdirondack District Local Swimming Committees,
\nthe local governing body of USA Swimming. The
\ndistrict stretches from Plattsburgh and Watertown
\ndown to New Paltz, and from Amsterdam in the
\nwest to the eastern shores of Lake Champlain. Malta
\nis in the middle of this area and is easily accessible
\nby multiple roadways, making it a desirable location
\nfor the project.<\/p>\n
“The town board members liked our project, so
\nwe moved ahead, found land and put in an offer that
\nwas accepted. We are moving forward getting the
\nproperty zoned for an aquatic center,” said Sullivan.<\/p>\n
The most recent development is approval from
\nthe town of Malta planning board to continue with
\nthe process.<\/p>\n
“In the meantime while we are going through
\nthis zoning process, we are raising funds for the land
\nand the build. We are looking to raise $22 million.
\nSo far we have raised around $200,000 through
\ngrassroots fundraising. We’ve applied for Capital
\nRegion Economic Development Grant, and some
\nother ones,” said Sullivan.<\/p>\n
Most of the group’s funds have come through
\nthe private sector.<\/p>\n
“By June, we hope to have the plan development
\ndistrict approved through zoning, and then we will
\nneed to close on the land. A lot depends on our
\nfundraising after that. It will probably take three to
\nfive years before we raise enough money to build
\nit. We’re working with a strong group of people to
\nbuild connections and help with the fundraising,”
\nsaid Sullivan.<\/p>\n
The property is located in Malta across the street
\nfrom Malta Urgent Care.<\/p>\n