BOARD APPROVES $5 MILLION FOR NEW AQUATICS COMPLEX AT RCC

(Artist's Concept of Aquatics Center)

On September 11 the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees approved spending $5 million to build a new aquatics complex on the downtown Riverside campus. The expenditure, drawn from Measure C funds, will go toward the construction of a joint-use facility that includes a 65-meter Olympic quality pool that will be home to RCC water polo, swimming, and dive teams.

The planned aquatics complex, with an estimated cost of $14 million, is the result of a partnership between RCCD, the city of Riverside, the county of Riverside, and the RCCD Foundation. Construction is expected to begin by 2009. When completed, the new facility will provide a venue for water fitness education, youth aquatics instruction, and training and competition for RCC teams, local swim organizations such as the Riverside Aquettes, and the community. Popular programs such as the College for Kids swim classes will continue at the new aquatics complex.

(Artist's Concept of Multiple Uses at Aquatics Center.)

In voting to approve the project funding, board member Virginia Blumenthal said, "This is the type of partnership that I love to see. Not only does it provide much needed 'water' for our young athletes who have had to travel outside the region to train and compete, but it brings the community on to the campus and gives people an opportunity to learn more about RCC."

The board's action follows a similar vote by the Riverside City Council in August, which approved the allocation of $3 million for the project and the development of a joint-use agreement between the city and the College District. Riverside County Supervisors John Tavaglione and Bob Buster recently pledged support over the next four years.

Blumenthal's comments were echoed by local businessman Ted Weggeland, who has agreed to chair the RCCD Foundation's effort to raise private support to complete construction and help cover ongoing operations. "RCC is the single best location for an aquatics facility that will benefit both the community and student athletes," Weggeland told the board. "The College has a great tradition of first-rate aquatics programs and of welcoming the community onto its campuses. The youth in our community deserve the very best aquatics facility we can build."

Plans for the aquatics complex include adding to the existing Cutter Pool building and swim and dive pools a 65-meter competition pool, which can be sectioned off to allow simultaneous multiple use. New locker rooms, coaches' offices, and grandstands will also be constructed, said Riverside City College interim president Dr. Linda Lacy. And the possibility of installing a photovoltaic system on the shade cover over the grandstands is being discussed with representatives of Riverside Public Utilities.

"The community recognizes the need for a facility of which we can all be proud," Weggeland said. "I'm confident that individuals and businesses will step forward with the necessary private support to complete what will be one of the premier aquatics complexes in California."