Media Contact Only: Tony Robinson (OPEFM) (202) 698-7700; John Stokes (DPR) (202) 673-2195; Monique Waters (EOM) (202) 741-0922
Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM) Executive Director Allen Y. Lew, and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Acting Director Ximena Hartsock celebrated the completion of the new Wilson Senior High School Aquatic Center with a ribbon cutting.
“The new Wilson Aquatic Center is an excellent example of our commitment to provide District students and residents access to world-class facilities,” Mayor Fenty said.
The Wilson swim team, who will use the pool to practice and host their swimming competitions, gathered at 4551 Fort Drive, NW along with other members from the surrounding community to celebrate the project’s completion, and to take their first dip in the new pool.
The new, 54,765-square-foot facility replaces the original 35,000-square-foot aquatic facility, which was built in 1978. Renovations included the complete demolition of the condemned Wilson Pool and the installation of four new pools.
“We had a dynamic team of construction professionals who pushed hard to take this project from the drawing board to the diving board,” OPEFM Executive Director Allen Lew said.
The $34.7 million Wilson Aquatic Center includes:
- A new, state-of-the-art indoor aquatic facility with a 50-meter competition pool
- A separate leisure pool
- Wellness/leisure pool
- Adult whirlpool
- Spectator seating
- Locker rooms
- Decorative wave mural
- Administration, building and pool support areas
DPR will manage the daily operation of the aquatic center, which is accessible to District residents at no cost. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States gave a donation to the District earlier this summer to support the DC Free Swim program, which will allow District residents to swim without fees at all operating pools through December. The aquatic center is available to non-District residents for a minimal fee.
“The Wilson Aquatic Center is a magnificent new landmark, and there really is no better way to return swimming to Wilson,” Ximena Hartsock, Acting Director of DPR said. “The facility clearly displays what can be accomplished when the District government and District residents work together to meet the needs of the community.”
Construction by OPEFM began in March 2008, with the formal groundbreaking a month later. LEED Silver certification is the standard for the project, and the US Green Building Council is currently reviewing the design.
For more information about the Wilson Aquatic Center, visit the facility page on DPR's website at dpr.dc.gov or call (202) 730-0583.
Select the link below to view photos from the event on DPR's Flickr photostream*:
For information on how to support or contribute to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, please contact DPR's Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 258-6021 or DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.
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