NAIA Power Keiser University to Invest in $8 Million Aquatics Center
NAIA powerhouse Keiser University this week announced a new $8 million aquatics center at its flagship campus in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The school is embarking on a fundraising campaign for the facility, which will include an Olympic-sized pool. The facility will also be open to the community.
Florida Power & Light is one of the first sponsors of the project. Dr. Bill Kent, chairman of the board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and a trustee at Keiser, has pledged a $500,000 matching donation. A fundraising dinner has been planned for next April, with a goal go break ground on the facility in the next 18 months.
“It is our dream and part of our mission to be of service … not only to our athletes, but the greater community,” university vice chancellor Belinda Keiser said at an event Monday. “We plan to be another resource to help children and adults swim.”
We are excited to officially announce the Keiser University Aquatic Center!! This facility will not only benefit our team but our West Palm community as a whole as we hope to make it a center for all to learn to swim and be water safe ?♀️ pic.twitter.com/bgYIas0F0i
— Keiser Men’s and Women’s Swimming (@Keiser_Swimming) August 9, 2021
Keiser is a national powerhouse, having won three consecutive men’s NAIA team championships.
The funding for the new center is being linked with new Every Child a Swimmer legislation in Florida. The state’s lieutenant governor, Jeannette Nunez, and state fire marshal Julius Halas attended Monday’s announcement. University officials did not offer insight on Keiser’s role on how swimming access would work with the community, but they did hint at the possibility of the facility bidding to host national meets upon its completion.
Keiser currently uses Lake Lytal Aquatic Center, for training and meets. It has a 50-meter by 25-yard pool plus one- and three-meter boards.