SwimMAC Carolina announces $6 million One Lane at a Time capital campaign

SwimMAC Carolina announced the launch of a $6 million capital campaign at a press conference this afternoon, held at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center where the team is hosting the Arena Grand Prix at Charlotte. The One Lane at a Time campaign will fund the construction of a new aquatic center and expansion of or improvements to five existing facilities.

David Marsh, SwimMAC CEO & Head Coach (courtesy of Mike Lewis, olavistaphotography.com)

“The Charlotte region has a severe shortage of water space that is inadequate for the popularity of lessons programs, school teams, competitive clubs, and aquatic fitness groups in our area. Additional lane space benefits everyone in the community,” said SwimMAC CEO and Director of Coaching, David Marsh.

SwimMAC Carolina and development partner RL West plan to build a multimillion dollar aquatic center at LangTree, a new development just off of Interstate 77 at exit 31 in the Lake Norman area. The initial plans include two 50-meter pools; one primarily for training and competition, the other customized for swim lessons and to support other auxiliary programming. RL West has agreed to donate the land and the infrastructure for the aquatics center at LangTree. SwimMAC is also working closely with the Mooresville Convention and Visitors Bureau, which has authorized $650,000 to help fund the facility’s construction and operating expenses. Discussions are underway with the Town of Mooresville to bring swimming lessons to their elementary schools, offer water space to their high schools, and additional recreational programs for their community.

Plans are also in the works to renovate and expand SwimMAC’s existing training center on Providence Road, on the campus of the Charlotte Latin School. “We are fortunate to have our own facility in south Charlotte,” said Marsh, “but the building is 24 years old and as our members can tell you, needs some work.” Most urgently, the roof needs to be replaced, which creates an opportunity to address other areas of need such as ventilation and lighting. Expansion of locker rooms, the addition of a multipurpose and dry land exercise room, and enhancements to the parents’ viewing room are also being considered.

Four other community-based facilities would receive support from funds raised through the One Lane at a Time campaign to replace lane lines, install heaters and fabric structures to create year-round swimming space. SwimMAC Carolina’s agreements with neighborhood pools help maintain the community’s investments, maximize the usability of existing water space, create opportunities to expand water safety instruction, and provides scheduling flexibility for SwimMAC’s Swim School and other auxiliary programs.

“The One Lane at a Time campaign is off to a great start with significant investments by our partners,” said Marsh. “I’m really encouraged by the support we are receiving and by the work our steering committee is doing to secure lead gifts in this early phase.”

SwimMAC Carolina is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Club Excellence title awarded by USA Swimming for three consecutive years. SwimMAC provides swimming lessons to thousands of children in the Charlotte area, develops more than 850 age group swimmers on its competitive team, trains about 20 Olympic caliber professional swimmers in its Team Elite program, and offers a variety of aquatic fitness programs for swimmers of all ages.

Courtesy of SwimMAC Carolina