The Christiansburg Aquatics Center continues to be the place for competitive tournaments including this past weekend’s collegiate meet that featured teams from Richmond, James Madison and Old Dominion.
Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Swimmers and fans from around the southeast gathered this past week at the Christiansburg Aquatics Center.
The Colonial Athletic Conference held their championships at the local facility.
This is the second of a five-year contract, and facility director Terry Caldwell said the phone has been ringing off the hook by others who would like the same time period in the future.
“This is swim season, and we’ve been very lucky that we stay very busy,” she said.
The CAA event drew thousands of visitors to the New River Valley over the three day tournament, bringing in big bucks to the local economy.
“They spend money at hotels, restaurants and retail while here so we’re happy for the tournament,” Caldwell said.
Again, the CAA contract runs for another three years, and Caldwell has yet to discuss future dates with the group.
“But the weekend is in high demand as others like the Independent Schools of Virginia have already sent us emails asking about the date,” she said.
Last week, Caldwell gave an update on the usage of the facility to the town council. So far in 2018, she said, the aquatics center has hosted 37 events with one meet having 1,350 athletes (the largest to date at the CAC). In 2017, approximately 11,000 athletes competed at the facility.
In addition, CAC currently has 2,450 members with 837 of those being Christiansburg residents.
Caldwell cited several successful events this past year including: Souper Splash, where canned food was collected as part of admission and second grade swim lessons where over 700 children from Christiansburg schools were served.
Another 200 students from Radford also took part in the swim lesson program.
“I am very proud of this cooperative effort with the schools,” she said.
The CAC will continue its joint agreement with the city of Radford to allow their residents access to the pool.
The facility is also planning to participate for the second year in “Swim 4 Relay 4 Life” March 16. A summer camp has been successful for the past five years, and this week, the program was awarded a grant through “Feeding Across America” that will provide each camper one meal and snack during the day.
Virginia Tech continues to play a major role in the facility as its swim teams practice, train and compete there.
Recently the two have announced plans for a water polo tournament that will draw teams not only from the Atlantic Coast Conference but from around the country.
The event is scheduled for March 17-18 and will feature five-time Olympian and Silver Medalist Tony Azenedo.
“We’re excited for this event and what it might hold for the future,” Caldwell concluded.