HAMPTON, Va. — Over a year in the making, the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex is preparing to open this fall.
Officials broke ground on the state-of-the-art facility in July of 2021. It cost around $30 million to build, according to city officials.
The 64,000-square-foot facility will feature:
- Eight lanes, 50-meter competition pool with two movable bulkheads
- State-of-the-art timing and scoring by Colorado Time Systems
- Eight-lane 25-yard programming pool
- 1,500-seat elevated spectator viewing area
- 760 on-deck competitive seating
- Pool-side whirlpool jacuzzi
- 2 one-meter springboards and 2 three-meter springboards
- 2,030 square feet multipurpose room
- 1,280 square feet team room
- Culinary center, concession food service
- Outdoor splash park
Recreational and competitive swimmers alike will find something to love about the new Aquaplex, which is adjacent to the Hampton Roads Convention Center and Hampton Coliseum.
It’s expected to make a big splash in Hampton.
"We have leveraged what we would spend on a quality of life amenity for our residents and added a sports tourism element to this park," said Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting.
She said city leaders expect the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex to generate more tax dollars for the city and give back to the community.
“I’m really especially proud that we’re going to be able to partner with Hampton City Schools to offer learn-to-swim lessons for our second-grade students as part of their physical education program,” Bunting said.
The Aquaplex will offer outdoor fun as well as competitive sports. City leaders toured the facility which had plans to open this summer Thursday morning.
“Like many projects around the country really, we have been impacted by material shortages," said Nicole Anderson, the project manager for Clancy and Theys Construction Company. "We are waiting on some aluminum for some of our major mechanical grills.”
Despite supply chain issues, much of the facility is coming to life.
“Oh my goodness," Bunting said. "I was so excited, especially to see water in the competition and program pool.”
Anderson said crews are painting the walls, filling the pools, and will soon bring in more equipment.
“And then we’re testing and starting up all the mechanical and electrical and the fire suppression systems over the next few weeks,” she said.
While there’s no concrete open date, Anderson hopes to turn the facility over to city leaders by mid-October.
A city spokesperson said the facility already has events lined up for 2023:
- 2023 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships
- 2023 Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 5/6 Swimming & Diving Championships
- 2023 USA Artistic Swimming Junior Olympics
- 2023 Virginia Swimming Short Course Age Group Championships