Swimming for All Saves Lives
Wilmington
AQUATIC CENTER
About The
Wilmington Aquatic Center
Location/Land Donation/Parking
Wilmington Aquatic Center (WAC) will be located in Wilmington, NC adjacent to I-40 at Murrayville Road on 20-acres of undeveloped land in New Hanover County being Donated for WAC and the ACCESS of Wilmington Recreation Center. This planned Land Donation near Laney High School continues a 20-year history of generous Olsen Farm Land Donation, which included 65 acres that is now Olsen Park, featuring the largest Miracle Field in the US, where ACCESS of Wilmington provides fitness, sports and recreation programs for individuals with disabilities, including Veterans, First Responders and Seniors. The Land Donation will be sufficient to accommodate parking required for all WAC and ACCESS programs and events.
Vision
Wilmington Aquatic Center addresses a long-standing need in Southeastern North Carolina to increase access to swimming in the region. WAC will be open to the public year-round, allowing individuals of all ages, abilities, incomes and backgrounds to enjoy the water safely. Currently in the pre-development stage, WAC will feature indoor and outdoor 50 meter Olympic-size pools, dive well, therapy pool, recreation pool and splash pad. The Land Donation will be sufficient to accommodate Olympic-size pools.
Alongside WAC will be the ACCESS Recreation Center, an accessible recreation center for children, adults and seniors with disabilities, including Veterans and First Responders. WAC and the ACCESS Recreation Center will foster health, fitness, connection and prosperity for the whole community.
WAC Mission
Wilmington Aquatic Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to provide a Public instructional, therapeutic, recreational and competitive venue that promotes water safety, health and economic opportunities for all residents and visitors of New Hanover County, and the surrounding area. WAC’s primary mission is to increase access to swimming to prevent drowning tragedies.
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Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children ages 1-4
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Drowning is the #2 cause of death for children ages 5-14
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Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children and adults with autism
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Almost 40 million adults can’t swim and have never taken a swim lesson.
According to the CDC, access to swimming and swim lessons saves lives.
Learn More/Drowning Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0514-vs-drowning.html
https://apps.finisswim.com/drowning-doesnt-look-like-what-you-see-in-the-movies/
A modern, multi-use Aquatic Center for the entire Wilmington community
An Aquatic Center for the public school system
An Aquatic Center for community-wide swim programs
An Aquatic Center for training lifeguards, First-Responders and the military
An Aquatic Center for aquatic physical therapy
An Aquatic Center for high school swim teams, age group teams, masters swimmers and triathletes
People
An Aquatic Center for all people in Southeastern North Carolina.
Place Making
A place for instructional, recreational, therapeutic & competitive swim programs. A place for all ages, abilities, incomes & backgrounds. A place to strengthen social connections & community bonds.
Performance
A modern multi-use Aquatic Center. WAC will enhance the local & regional economy.
