Politics & Government

Regional Pool Opens Today in North Charleston

First-of-its-kind public indoor pool was partially funded by Mount Pleasant.

A regional swimming facility partially funded by the Town of Mount Pleasant opens today in North Charleston at the Danny Jones Recreation Complex.

There has been a community pool in that location for more than 50 years, but a recent overhaul saw upgrades to the pool and the enclosure of the entire facility. Now heated and shielded from the elements, the pool is a year-round facility, a first-of-its-kind addition to the Lowcountry.

The renovation "extends the usefulness of the pool," said Art Titus, the project manager. "Before it would have been a seasonal pool. Now they can operate 12 months out the year."

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The $1.8 million project was primarily funded by the City of North Charleston, but the Town of Mount Pleasant and Charleston County Government eacg contributed $100,000 to the project.

The Logan Rutledge Children's Foundation, organized by Dr. Marco Cavazzoni, raised $350,000 in cash and in-kind donations for the project.

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That group approached the City of North Charleston last year to push for the expanded pool, citing the lack of a public swimming facility that can accommodate year-round training and swim lessons in the Charleston area.

Mount Pleasant contributed to the project. There are a handful of local teens who have competed in national Olympic trials in recent years. The expanded pool, they hope, will foster greater regional participation in competitive swimming.

Primarily, the new pool will be used for youth swimming lessons and fitness activities for other groups, including individuals with disabilities. The pool renovation included the addition of a special lift chair for people with special needs.

While considered Olympic length, most of the pool is not deep enough for competitve swimming, but a center portion does meet the depth requirements, and that's where officials anticipate local swimmers will practice and eventually hold competitions.

"There are just a litany of possibilities that did not exist before," Titus said.

A 10 a.m. Friday ceremony will officially open the facility. Various dignitaries from across the Charleston area are expected to attend. 


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