City of Charlottesville issued the following announcement on September 27.
Second round of upgrades completed on Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center’s ventilation and air distribution systems
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The City of Charlottesville’s Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center is anticipated to reopen on Monday, January 3, 2022.
“Our goal is to provide a safe, healthy, and inviting aquatic environment for the community and a safe work environment for our staff,” said Deputy City Manager Sam Sanders. “This latest scope of work concludes a $2.2 million renovation project that has improved the air quality and ventilation of the 27,000+ square foot facility and will help maintain building and infrastructure integrity by mitigating corrosion factors prevalent in indoor aquatic venues.”
The City recognizes the inconvenience this extended closure has placed on our customers and is continuing to rely on Crow Pool as an alternative while also exploring the use of outdoor swim facilities, such as the Washington Park Swimming Pool, during September and October to maximize the available swim facilities while weather permits.
Staffing shortages in the Parks & Recreation Department for positions including lifeguards have also made reopening facilities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic a continuing challenge this year.
“I have asked the Parks & Recreation team to literally think ‘outside the box’ when it comes to providing facilities to the community and staff to support quality programs,” added Sanders. “With the return of Smith to operational status, we have a facility that is ready to serve the community this winter and we look forward to welcoming people back.”
Fitness and Wellness pass options
Charlottesville Parks & Recreation is also offering new Fitness and Wellness pass options. The new pass offers flexibility and affordability for customers to have access to a single facility, Carver Recreation Center or Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center, or access to both facilities. Customers who purchase a Fitness and Wellness pass will have access to the amenities at the facility or facilities that they have chosen for the duration of the pass. This new structure allows customers to purchase a pass based on what their fitness and wellness goals and needs are. Customers who purchase a single facility pass will also pay less than what the previous pass rates were before the COVID-19 closures. Fitness and Wellness passes are also eligible for the Parks & Recreation scholarship that provides discounts for individuals or families in need financial assistance. More information about Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center operations and pass options can be found online at https://www.charlottesville.gov/605/Smith-Aquatic-Fitness-Center.
Background on Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center
Smith AFC opened in Summer 2010 as a LEED Platinum-certified facility and was distinguished as a “facility of merit” by Athletic Business. Since its opening, Smith AFC has made 'add-on' improvements to address the ongoing challenges natatoriums face regarding ventilation and air quality. The upgrades completed in 2015 and 2021 will not affect the LEED Platinum certification.
Original source can be found here.
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