COLORADO SPRINGS, July 26. CHUCK Wielgus, Executive Director of USA Swimming, has proposed the creation of a U.S. National Swim Center, located in a warm, safe environment, that would serve as a world-class competition venue for major competitions held in the United States.<\/p>\n
As Wielgus envisions it, the facility would be "somewhat modeled after the National Tennis Center in New York,"and "be constructed with the needs of spectators, television, media and corporate sponsors in mind."<\/p>\n
Here is Wielgus' proposal:<\/p>\n
U. S. NATIONAL SWIM CENTER
\nBy Chuck Wielgus <\/p>\n
This document is a preliminary "discussion paper" intended to begin the process of sharing the idea of a National Swim Center for the purpose of stimulating discussion and feedback on the concept. I invite comments and will utilize the input I receive to further develop and expand upon this idea. This is a starting point\u2026. And perhaps a new and exciting journey has begun.<\/p>\n
The idea of a National Swim Center has been on my long-term "idea board" for several years now. I envision a venue complex somewhat modeled after the National Tennis Center in New York and the PGA Tournament Clubs located at various sites around the country. It would feature a main swim stadium that would be specifically designed to host major aquatic competitions, and be constructed with the needs of spectators, television, media and corporate sponsors in mind. It would be a world-class competition facility and entertainment venue; a physical focal point for our sport in much the same way that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Yankee Stadium and Churchill Downs are icon venues for their sports.<\/p>\n
CONCEPT:
\nTo establish America\u2019s "signature" venue for competitive swimming, a facility that will become the home for the U.S Olympic Team Trials, the annual USA Swimming National Championships and other major competitions.<\/p>\n
BENEFITS TO USA SWIMMING:
\n\u2022 Permanent home for the U. S. Olympic Team Trials and USA Swimming National Championships.
\n\u2022 Host location for U. S. National Team Training Camps.
\n\u2022 Host location for national age group "select" camps.
\n\u2022 Host location for special events, including use by other national aquatic organizations such as the NCAA, YMCA, Masters Swimming, NISCA, etc.
\n\u2022 Possibly proposal as a permanent home for the NCAA Swimming Championships, \u00e0 la the College World Series in Omaha , Nebraska.
\n\u2022 A spectator-friendly facility that will help USA Swimming better market and promote the sport.
\n\u2022 A sponsor-friendly venue that will enhance USA Swimming\u2019s base of assets and create new sponsorships opportunities.<\/p>\n
LOCATION REQUIREMENTS:
\n\u2022 Warm-weather city\u2026 pleasant, safe environment.
\n\u2022 Ability to accommodate indoor and outdoor facilities
\n\u2022 Plenty of space for large pool decks, locker rooms, meeting rooms, concessions, parking, etc.
\n\u2022 Close proximity to hotels, restaurants and entertainment.
\n\u2022 Close proximity to airport.<\/p>\n
FACILITY COMPONENTS:
\n\u2022 50- meter main "swim stadium," with permanent seating for at least 2,500 people and the ability for portable seating to accommodate up to 6,000.
\n\u2022 50-meter practice pool
\n\u2022 25-meter x 25-yard practice pool.
\n\u2022 Outdoor facilities lighted for night use.
\n\u2022 Spacious locker rooms, maintenance and storage areas.
\n\u2022 Meeting and function rooms, office space, permanent press room, hospitality areas, concession areas & outdoors caf\u00e9 space, etc.
\n\u2022 Large, attractive display areas for trophies, photographs, exhibits, video kiosks, etc.
\n\u2022 Large, permanent scoreboard.
\n\u2022 Large permanent record board.
\n\u2022 State-of-the-art sound system.<\/p>\n
FINANCIAL,OWNERSHIP & OPERATIONAL ELEMENTS
\n\u2022 Ideally, USA Swimming seeks to own and have complete operational control over the National Swim Center.
\n\u2022 Possible funding\/equity partnership could be considered with a host city, educational institution, corporate partner, etc.
\n\u2022 Significant opportunities exist to establish quantifiable benefits for a host city and\/or host partners.
\n\u2022 USA Swimming cannot be exposed to significant financial risk.
\n\u2022 Both capital and operations funds must be adequately secured.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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