Courtesy of Hampton Virginia Aquaplex, a SwimSwam partner.
As Coastal Virginia’s geographic center and the proud home of the world’s greatest natural harbor, Hampton’s aquatic heritage is as deep as the Chesapeake Bay and as vast as the Atlantic Ocean. It’s only natural this beautiful coastal community will soon be home to one of the largest competitive aquatic facilities in the Mid-Atlantic: the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex.
Set to open August 2022 on the same campus as the Hampton Roads Convention Center and Hampton Coliseum, this state-of-the-art facility is the largest of its kind in Virginia. Built for competitive aquatics, the Aquaplex was designed to host Mid-Atlantic and national competitive swimming and diving events, artistic swimming, water polo, and more. Spectator seating for 1,500 overlooks the eight-lane, 50-meter pool with two movable bulkheads. Seating for 760 athletes occupies the wide, spacious pool decks for the smoothest of swim and dive event execution.
Swimmer warm-up and warm-down are a breeze in the eight-lane, 25-yard programming pool, and nearby multipurpose rooms provide space for event staging and hospitable functionality. A culinary center with two purchase points ensures spectators never miss an exciting moment. Because it’s within an easy walk, the Hampton Roads Convention Center offers additional exhibitor and event space. Hotel accommodations surround the Aquaplex, ensuring easy access to guest rooms for swimmers and their families. There are 1,200 rooms within walking distance and more than 6,000 rooms nearby.
Most appealing is Hampton’s proximity to abundant family-friendly activities, beginning with SplashDown Park, an outdoor park for waterplay, sun and fun right on site. Restaurants, shops and entertainment surround the event campus and beyond, plus the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, Fort Monroe National Monument, harbor tours and four exciting beaches are right in Hampton. The Waterwalk connects Aquaplex visitors to Bass Pro Shops, Bluebird Gap Farm, Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, and Air Power Park. Plus, Hampton is surrounded by incredible world-class attractions, including historic sites, theme parks, and the oceanfront in neighboring cities Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, and Williamsburg.
Multiple colleges and universities are located in Coastal Virginia: Hampton University, the College of William & Mary, Old Dominion University and Christopher Newport University, to name a few. Collegiate and club swimming are abundant, built upon the great spirit of regional partnership. Furthermore, the Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau provides professionally executed services that are customized according to each event.
Location is key, and Hampton’s is one of the best! Located immediately off I-64 where it meets I-664, the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex is ideally positioned to draw Mid-Atlantic attendance. Hampton is located within 400 miles of 17 million people and has convenient access to Norfolk International Airport, Newport News Williamsburg Airport and Amtrak train travel.
Hampton Virginia Aquaplex and swimmers, coaches and aquatic fans are made for each other. Whether training, competing or relaxing slide-side, Aquaplex visitors are eager to dive into the specially designed venue and, cap and goggles aside, explore all that Hampton and Coastal Virginia have on deck.
Facility recap:
- Eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool with two movable bulkheads
- State-of-the-art timing and scoring by Colorado Time Systems
- Eight-lane, 25-yard programming pool
- 1,500-seat, elevated spectator viewing area
- 760 on-deck competitor seating
- Poolside whirlpool jacuzzi
- Diving well with two one-meter springboards and two three-meter springboards
- 2,030-square-foot Multipurpose Room
- 1,270-square-foot Team Room
- Culinary Center concession food service
Hampton Virginia Aquaplex and SplashDown Park are refreshing new options for aquatic competition and great family fun. Summer 2022 can’t come soon enough!
For more information about the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex and SplashDown Park, please contact Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-487-8778 or 757-722-1222, or visit SportsHampton.com.
I wonder if this will be a potential future site for USMS Nationals?
So many new pools in Virginia. Looks like we may have a new East Coast swimming hub. What clubs will have use of this facility
Probably Coast Guard Blue Dolphins, 757swim, TIDE maybe ?
Not sure, but not Tide as they have a beautiful new outdoor 50 meter pool (Also 30 miles from Virginia Beach). Also 757 has new indoor 25 yard pool. Most likely will replace midtown aquatic center for small state/ region meets.
Nothing like a beautiful pool that over looks a cemetery and power plant
In many parts of the country, cemeteries aren’t viewed as being tabu NIMBY developments. In Savannah, they actually have picnics and parties in the cemeteries.
What, are you afraid of ghosts? 👻
The zombies and nuclear radiation must be why they swim so fast.