Board shows support for proposal
Fundraising efforts for aquatic facility continue
MALTA, N.Y. » The people behind the proposed 80,000 square-foot indoor aquatic facility are continuing their fundraising efforts.
Adirondack Aquatic Center, which envisions itself to be the premier facility of its kind in the Northeast, formed in 2014, hoping to locate the facility near the 1-87 Exit 12 interchange.
Last week, the town board unanimously passed a resolution, expressing its strong support of the not-for-profit and the proposed Aquatics Center.
“The Town Board of the Town of Malta supports AAC’s efforts to secure funding through grants, donations and other available means, for the purpose of accomplishing its goal,” the resolution states. “It is further resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Malta anticipates a relationship between AAC and the Town which would provide AAC with reliable revenue.”
In the 2010 Capital Plan for Malta, adding an aquatic center was identified as a long-term priority for the town, which means the Adirondack Aquatic Center would be of public benefit.
“Since we’re in Malta, there’s a recreational opportunity for the residents there, especially the seniors who will come over, swim and do therapy,” said AAC’s vice
president Mike Relyea.
The $22 million project kicked off its fundraising campaign in 2018. Thus far, the group has raised over $2 million. AAC’s Board of Directors seeks both public and private sector funds. While the intent is to underwrite the project’s cost using private money, financial support from various state and local grant programs is also being sought and will be crucial toward leveraging additional private sector investment.
The facility has a targeted opening date of late 2020.
A survey about swimming pools in the Greater Capitol Area was done by TSE Consulting in August 2013 and that’s when the realization of a year-round swimming pool took shape. The Adirondack District Local Swim Committee determined Malta would be the center location for the project.
The multi-use, yearround facility will hold four pools, including a 50-meter Olympic-size pool, of varying lengths, depths and temperatures for diverse swim programs such as learn to swim, exercise and rehabilitation, as well as training and competition. Plans also include ample spectator seating, classroom areas, meeting rooms, aquatic-focused exercise and weight room, studio/multi-purpose area, pro shop, concessions area and locker rooms.
Relyea explained there are social and economic development impacts to the facility.
“One of the most underserved programs in the area, and across the country, is Learn-to-Swim programs,” said Relyea. “There are a lot of them, but there’s a demand. The demand is really high. We really have an educational piece with Learn-to-Swim program, which I think is important.”
Additionally, there will be opportunities to add programs like water polo, which Relyea says has been a big scholarship opportunities for college, because there aren’t many water polo teams, especially in the Capital Region.
AAC has modeled its designs off a facility in Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro Aquatic Center attracts roughly 120,000 new visitors a year to the facility, with a roughly $40 million local economic impact.
The Board believes a similar impact could be made in Saratoga County with the amount of hotels and restaurants. Typically, there are 35-40 weekends throughout the year where 300 to 2,000 athletes will compete.
Aside from the competition pool, there will be an eight-lane instruction pool, a diving well and a therapy pool.