2016 Olympian and American Record holder Caeleb Dressel made the trip from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale to be on hand for the Hall of Fame Aquatic Complex’s Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday. Dressel sat down with Swimming World TV’s Brent Rutemiller to talk about his monster year in 2018 where he had one of the most memorable NCAA meets of all-time where he swam the fastest time in history in the 50 free, 100 fly and 100 free.
Dressel most notably swam a 17.63 at that meet in Minnesota to be the first swimmer to ever break 18 seconds from a flat start and also was the first man to break 43 in the 100 fly and 40 seconds in the 100 free. Dressel talked to Swimming World about that meet and how swimming in the Olympics in 2016 was able to prepare him and motivate him for the future.
Dressel also talked about his tattoos (5:38) and what each of them means. He also gave a hint at what events he will be focusing on to make the Olympic team in 2020.
Dressel (middle) alongside Olympians Ryan Lochte and Jesse Vassallo at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex; Photo Courtesy: International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame hosted its groundbreaking ceremony for the Hall of Fame Aquatic Center 27 Million renovation project on Friday. The event was witnessed by hundreds of local media, swimmers, and south Florida citizens to celebrate the beginning of the future of the Swimming Hall of Fame Aquatic Center, Fort Lauderdale.
The renovations will include:
- Remove existing 50m competition pool and provide a new expanded fully FINA compliant standard pool with stainless bulkheads.
- Remove existing diving pool and provide new fully FINA compliant diving pool and tower including five platform levels (1m, 3m, 5m, 7m, 10m), and 1m and 3m springboards
- Remove existing spa for divers and provide new spa
- Repair existing 50m training pool with new surfacing and gutters
- Relocate and expand the instructional pool to the southwest corner of the peninsula
- Provide new filtration system, pumps, and chlorination system for all pools.
- Resurface and raise pool deck to allow for increased pool depths for competition-level use
- Remove existing grandstand building and bleachers on north side of facility and provide new grandstand with spectator restrooms, concessions, ticket office, and metal bleachers for +/ 1500 spectator capacity.
- Provide site improvements that include parking and drainage improvements, new stadium lighting, landscaping, sidewalks, and new main entry plaza.
The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex has been in place since December 1965 when the International Swimming Hall of Fame inducted its first class. Since then, it has played host to numerous international and national level events in aquatic sports and has had ten world records fall from swimming legends Mary T. Meagher, Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin.
The main competition pool is currently closed and the facility will officially close April 17. The finished renovations are scheduled to finish in October 2020.
Disappointed there wasn’t a female swimmer among the Olympians, at the groundbreaking ceremony! Also, will there be anything done to commemorate the financial assistance of the Detroit Athletic Club, and Clarence Pinkston, for their efforts and donations to start the first Hall of Fame Pool?
Dara Torres was scheduled but had to cancel at the last minute
Tay Thomas
Very interesting details you have noted, appreciate it for putting up.
Carlos Lee Aragon