This April, Christiansburg's Town Manager said "
I don't know where that date came from" in response to a revised targeted opening date of October 2009 for the new aquatic center.
Previously, opening dates had been stated by the town as Summer 2007, then Spring 2008, then Fall 2008, then Spring 2009 and then Fall 2009. This moving target has been attributed variously to
design changes, materials or getting
contracts signed.
Public records show VDOT grants for an access road were initiated in May 2004 with Council authorizing a resolution for this in February 2006, and related work beginning shortly thereafter. The building's footprint was staked out and excavation began in August 2006.
Changing the initial concept from a 25 meter pool to a 50 meter competition facility with a movable bulkhead occurred in December 2004, adding about $2.5 million to the $13 million taken out in bonds (debt service). Part of these funds were earmarked to be used to finish the Harkrader Sports Complex, constructing concession stands and bleachers, and lighting installation. The deadline for those finishing touches had previously been promised as the beginning of the 2004 school year.
Revised concept plans were shared with Town Council in June and November of 2005. Virginia Tech
HokieSports reported in
August 2005 that a 20-year lease had been made possible due to the change in the pool's size (December 2004). That article went on to say the facility would be under construction by the end of 2005 and completed by Summer 2007.
In June 2006, the Town Manager reported that meeting
ACC standards would add another $2 million to the price tag, and was necessary to cement the deal between the town and Virginia Tech. This January, Council and citizens learned the Town Manager instead negotiated a
25-year lease with Virginia Tech.
Two months later (March 2009), Council members finally got a look at an initial
business plan for this facility. Public records show the Town Manager had previously promised Council an
economic package relative to this project by September 2004.
If the Town Manager
doesn't know where the revised October 2009 opening date came from, just go back and review Council's budget discussions for the current fiscal year. The aquatic center's budget numbers had been based on an entire fiscal year, even though it was obvious a July 1 opening date was not possible.
Council instead decided to use October 1 when determining annual departmental allocations, reducing the administration's projections. In June, Council made it clear that if -- at the beginning of the
second quarter of the town's fiscal year -- October 2009 wasn't going to be the opening date for this facility, they
wanted to know beforehand and asked for monthly updates until it
was operational.
As reported Sept. 12 in a
Roanoke Times article, project representatives will be back in front of Council this
Tuesday (and includes an incorrect original groundbreaking date). The article goes on to say the Town Manager reports ongoing construction and an unknown opening date.
Various swim clubs and Virginia Tech, as well as other athletic groups and town residents, remain anxious to know when this facility
will be available. Area businesses have also awaited a promised
economic boom relative to this project. With more
competition in this niche market on the horizon now and an unhealthy economy, this can't come a day too soon.