FAIRLEA W.Va. (WVDN) – What began as a high school project now serves as a non-profit wellness facility serving Greenbrier County and surrounding areas. The GVAC (Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center), located in Lewisburg, started out as an idea molded by Greenbrier East High School students. “It was the best professional experience we could get because it did turn into an actual facility,” said Kara Vaughan of her involvement in the project. Along with several other students, Vaughan was instrumental in the creation of GVAC.
“It wasn’t supposed to be an actual facility, but we quickly realized that it could actually work,” Vaughan said. Along with two engineering students whose focus was the actual design, Vaughan operated as the sole business member who would be responsible for the business plan, logo creation, website and presentations. “As we met with other professionals, investors and started receiving feedback from the community, the need became obvious,” she said. As the young visionaries gathered after school for meetings, garnered investor attention and community support, the State Fair of West Virginia stepped in and offered the land that GVAC now calls home.
The year-round facility focuses on recreation, health, wellness and family. “We wanted to make it a first-class facility, but also wanted it to be accessible to everyone. We tried to make something very nice and clean with high-tech filtration and air purification,” said Vaughan. “Everything is crisp, clean and beautiful. We wanted that level of beauty to be accessible to families. It’s a very family-friendly facility and we want people to know what we have to offer,” she adds. “We have a lot of space for families, seniors and those recovering from surgeries or in need of water therapy. Thanks to the generosity of donors, we also have an Everyone Swims Scholarship Program, where the recipients receive a free membership. We didn’t want financial barriers because we believe everyone should have access to the facility for physical and emotional well-being.”
Vaughan, who returned home to Lewisburg and now owns and operates her own business, Kara Marie Copywriting LLC, now designs the GVAC website years after being instrumental in the creation of the facility itself. “It’s a really good feeling. It was being built while I was in college, but I kept up with the progress,” Vaughan recalls. “It has been so cool to see it come to fruition and see how many lives its changed. It feels like I’ve come full circle to be back working with GVAC, like I’m just as invested now as I was back then and it’s a great feeling,” she added. “The thing that stood out the most to me is the community support. It just goes to show the power of community and what happens when people come together and want to support something that will benefit a lot of people.”
The Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center offers paid membership, discounts and day passes. The facility is located at 896 Maplewood Avenue in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 681-484-7037, visit GVAquaticCenter.com or follow them on social media at Facebook.com/
