Plans for new aquatic center announced

Wednesday, February 28, 2007 7:13 PM EST

By Everett Catts

Neighbor Newspapers News Editor

Finally, Chastain Park will have a new aquatic center.

Last week the Chastain Park Athletic Club, a nonprofit formerly known as the North Atlanta Swim Association, announced plans to build a new complex. The facility will include a 22,000 square-foot natatorium with a 50-meter indoor pool, two outdoor pools, a three-story, 25,000- to 35,000-square-foot clubhouse with locker rooms, concessions, a coffee shop and training room and event level. The outdoor pools include a shallow one for children and a deeper one with a diving board.

The center, which will cost between $15 million and $20 million, is expected to open in spring 2009. Construction will be timed so the summer swim season won't be disrupted. The facility, which will be built on the site of the current pool, was designed by Cooper Carry Architects, and Site Solutions LLC did the site planning.

The cost will be finalized once a construction bid is made. The center will be funded by $1.5 million the city of Atlanta has set aside in bonds through the parks department, with the rest raised by donations from individuals and businesses.

"We're very excited," said Jim King, president of the Chastain Park Athletic Club. "We've been working very methodical for a number of years. Everybody we talk to said, 'It's about time.' They're really looking forward to this, especially the indoor facility. We have no public indoor facility in this part of town."

The current center was built in 1942 and the city shut it down in the early 2000s with plans to raze it. In 2002 community leaders started the nonprofit North Atlanta Swim Association and formed a public/private partnership with the city to re-open the pool that year. Community leaders have been trying to get a new facility built for at least two decades. In planning the new center, the club has worked with the Chastain Park Conservancy, Chastain Civic Association, Chastain Horse Park, Sutton Middle School, Galloway School, Northside Youth Organization, Neighborhood Planning Unit A and other area organizations.

"All the community feedback we're getting is very positive," King said.

Jennifer Klein is an athletic club board member whose three children have helped clean up the current facility.

"We've been talking about it for so long, and each day, another group gives the thumbs up," she said of the new center. "It's evidence there is a dire need for facilities like this. - The city considers a public-private partnership a win-win for both parties."

Board member Melissa Cole is a former University of North Carolina swimmer and mother of three.

Information: Jim King, (404) 966-2076 or e-mail info@chastainparkac.org.