Courtesy: Elizabeth Spencer Rosenthal
“If you build it, they will come…”
No, no, not an idyllic baseball diamond in the middle of a corn field in Iowa. That tale has already been told! This modern-day story is about a world-class swimming facility in the middle of a cattle pasture in Ocala, Florida. It’s where big-time swimming meets small-town charm.
Since its opening in 2022, Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) has quickly emerged as a real-life field of dreams for aquatic athletes of all ages, who come to fulfill their swimming aspirations, putting Central Florida on the map as one of the country’s most elite destinations for competitive swimming.
And in case you haven’t “herd,” FAST is the hottest spot in the Sunshine State this summer, playing host to a sweltering schedule of eight meets in eight weeks, including the FAST Independence Invite, USA Swimming Southern Zone South Sectional Championship, Florida Age Group Championships (FLAGS), Florida Senior Championships, USA Swimming Futures Championships and the YMCA National Long Course Championships.
If you’re a fan of competitive swimming, you can indulge all summer long, ’til the cows come home!
The contemporary, state-of-the-art aquatic facility boasts an indoor 10-lane 50-meter x 25-yard competition pool as well as an outdoor 8-lane 50-meter/25-yard/25-meter competition pool. Combined with a 2,475 square foot indoor dryland fitness center, FAST is a dream come true for first-class training in and out of the pool.
With plentiful seating for up to 2,000 spectators, and amazing amenities including an onsite swim shop, Fast Fuel Cafe, ample meeting space and more, FAST has rapidly become a favorite venue for local, state, regional and national level meets.
The facility has also had the honor of hosting a USA Swimming Diversity Camp as well as a sizzling in-state showdown between NCAA D1 powerhouses, Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles. It has also become home to the hotly contested Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Championship, which for two weekends each November, showcases the state’s treasure trove of high school swimming and diving talent.
In a short amount of time, FAST has become part of the fabric of the neighborhood, hosting learn to swim programs, as well as camps, clinics and community events that promote fun, fitness, education, and safety. It has also made a significant economic impact on the area, filling local hotel rooms and restaurants with competitors and visitors alike.
While it is surely rural, Ocala is by no means a one-horse town! In fact, it is a vibrant equestrian community, with hundreds of thoroughbred farms and training centers, and a significant cattle industry. The area is also known for its southern hospitality, small-town charm, as well as natural scenic beauty and plentiful outdoor activities.
So, if you’re dreaming of an ideal place to swim, train, and race, follow the herd and come to Ocala! I wouldn’t “steer” you wrong.
ABOUT ELIZABETH SPENCER ROSENTHAL
Elizabeth Spencer Rosenthal is a wife and mother of 3 from Miami. She is a passionate swim mom, volunteer and meet official, with a professional background in marketing and public relations. She holds a degree in Public Communication from American University, and loves finding a story to tell.
What fun! How creative! I had a smile reading this, and enjoying the “typos” and reference to “Field of Dreams!” Who can forget that movie, or the theme, “if you build it’ they will come! Sure sounds accurate for this swim place! Ms Rosenthal has a real nack for writing with humor, sensitivity, and creativity. Please keep it up!
Great pool, great people. Middle of nowhere.
It’s true; you can still see cows in the background from the bleachers!