Although construction on the Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center is still ongoing, staff is hopeful for a February opening date.
General Manager Darcie McCraw explained to The West Virginia Daily News that the timeline is not firm, and an opening date has not been set, but the facility is nearly complete.
“We are very hopeful for an early February opening,” said McCraw. “The plan is to have a ‘soft opening’ where we will open with limited hours and gradually increase them as the staff gets acclimated. Again, those hours will be announced when we can officially announce the opening date.”
Although hopeful for February, this date is still contingent on material deliveries outside of the staff’s control.
“The biggest remaining pieces [are] our exterior doors, as well as the windows that go into the large opening on the roof,” McCraw explained. “The exterior doors have not yet arrived. The large windows are in the process of being installed but the snowstorm has delayed that process a bit as much of the installation occurs from outside on the roof.”
After breaking ground in June 2020, the hope was the facility would open in summer of 2021. However, due to material delivery delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the blocking of the Suez Canal, occasional weather challenges, and the need to raise an additional $200,000 to compensate for the increased material prices, the Aquatic Center was hit with ample challenges. Now, however, the facility is closer to opening than ever.
McCraw highlighted the programming the facility plans once the facility opens.
“We are still accepting membership enrollments in-person and online, anyone who enrolls before we open will receive eight free ‘Bring a Friend’ passes that are attached virtually to their membership. Anyone who has already enrolled already has these passes. A lot of folks ask about birthday parties – we will be offering birthday party packages beginning in March and will post the details when we are able to announce our opening date. We will also announce the schedule for programming (water aerobics, learn to swim classes, etc.) at that time.”
Although there is a membership fee, McGraw encouraged locals to apply no matter their financial situation. This is especially true for school-age children looking to compete in swimming competitions.
“Lastly, it’s always good to mention that we want everyone who wants to be a part of Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center to be able to,” McCraw said. “We have a scholarship program in place and we will begin sharing the details and accepting applications for scholarships once we are open!”
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