WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB
The City of Pembroke Pines Academic Village Pool and Training Center is in the final stages of much-needed renovation and expansion.
The $320,000 bond project that includes work on the aquatic facility, is scheduled to be completed by the end of April, according to Chuck Vones, City of Pembroke Pines Parks and Recreation assistant director.
The project, mainly funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and matching bond money, also includes refurbishing and upgrades of the basketball courts, soccer and football fields, tennis courts, track, boardwalk and nature area.
While the community is looking forward to every facet of the upgrades, it’s the pool deck expansion and renovation that has Comets parents, swimmers and coaches excited.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect with the recent announcement of the Comets merger with the Coral Springs Swim Club and formation of the South Florida Aquatic Club.
The improvements include pool deck expansion by 65 percent, stadium lighting, cost-effective Geothermal heating and cooling for the pool, parent seating area with easy access, bleacher seating for fans, crossfit exercise and dryland stations and brick donation walkway have been in the works since the project was approved in 2007.
The additional room will provide a safer environment and allow athletes to do more dryland training in the pool area.
Now that the dream has become reality, the improvements will only help to enhance and maintain the successful program, Vones said.
“The swim program and meets have been very successful,” Vones said. “These were improvements that needed to be done. They just outgrew the pool deck. It’s definitely a sign of growth and success. We are very excited about the completion of the project. We have had lots of people working on it.”
Comets head coach and CEO Chris Anderson has been involved with the improvements since Day One with the help from a large supporting cast that includes Dean Combs, City of Pembroke Pines Parks and Recreation Director; Vones; Greg Groselle, City of Pembroke Pines Aquatics Coordinator; the City of Pembroke Pines Commission; Mayor Frank Ortis; city manager Charles F. Dodge and members of the Comets Swim Team.
“This will provide a better training environment,” Anderson said. “Our team has grown so much. It’s what the kids need.”
The crossfit exercise stations on the pool deck will feature spinning bikes and indoor-outdoor exercise mats. While swimmers train, parents can get a little exercise in while watching their children in the pool. The cost of the workout area was underwritten by USA Swimming’s Silver Medal Grant program.
Other funding was raised by the City of Pembroke Pines, Anderson Aquatics LLC, Comets Swim Team Booster Club and Comets Swim Team Alumni Association.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
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