RCC ANNOUNCES OPENING OF RENOVATED AQUATICS FACILITY (PDF)
RESTON, VA – Reston Community Center is proud to announce the reopening of its renovated Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center. The venue, part of the original RCC Hunters Woods facility built in 1979, has been completely rebuilt to provide two new pools and accompanying infrastructure improvements to better serve the Reston community.
The pool opening marks the completion of more than three years of work, from community discussions to design, of the year-long construction phase of the project.
Following a concept development engagement process assisted by Hughes Architects, RCC worked with RRMM/Lukmire Architects, Branch Builds, and the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) to design and build the new facility, which now features a 25-yard lap pool with beach entry and water play features, and an adjacent warm-water teaching and exercise pool. Other renovations include a new roof, all new equipment systems for water filtration and air-handling, updated and more effective storm water management, and improvements to the locker rooms.
“This ambitious project reflects the broad input and engagement with our swimmers that we sought from the beginning of our work,” said RCC Board of Governors Chair Beverly Cosham. “All the features address needs they described for us; the professionals worked to incorporate as many of the community’s ideas as possible.”
The pool area features custom wall artwork by mosaic artist Valerie Theberge, whose work is also displayed at the Glade Underpass and Dogwood Pool in Reston. Theberge was involved with the renovation project from the outset and helped inform design choices for the tilework and placement of her mosaic pieces. She will be featured in a conversation about her work in the CenterStage this spring to be presented in conjunction with RCC community partner Public Art Reston.
To welcome back swimmers, RCC is offering drop-in access for any age for just $1 per visit for Reston patrons through the month of February. Pricing for offerings will remain at 2018 levels through summer of 2021. The passes issued in 2018 were extended for a year to cover the period of construction. Class and exercise programs start on February 3, 2020. RCC will be offering a full slate of learn-to-swim and exercise programs, as well as open swim hours. To see the full schedule, please visit the website at www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
“We greatly appreciate the patience of our aquatics patrons and the Reston swim teams who call RCC home for their training and practices,” said Leila Gordon, RCC Executive Director. “We also extend our gratitude to our colleagues at Fairfax County YMCA Reston, Herndon Community Center and Reston Association who all made special pricing available to our patrons during the year we have been closed. Their support has been tremendous.”
RCC closed its pool January 1, 2019 to embark on the major renovation, the first for the aquatics facility since RCC Hunters Woods opened in 1979. Prior to construction, RCC held a two-year community engagement and design process with concept development by Hughes Architects. The renovated facility was designed by RRMM/Lukmire Architects after a competition among four firms retained by Fairfax County DPWES for architecture and engineering services.
Branch Builds was selected by DPWES after a pre-bid qualifying process and review of construction bids from those firms that were qualified to submit them. The Virginia-based contractor has won awards for its design-build and renovation of schools, libraries (including the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library) and other public facilities. Fairfax County DPWES Building Design and Construction Division provided overall project direction and oversight for RCC.
During the closure, RCC partnered with the Fairfax County YMCA Reston, Herndon Community Center and Reston Association to offer special aquatics discounts for RCC patrons during the renovation period.
“We are very happy to reopen,” said Gordon. “This project came in under-budget and with excellent results. It took a little longer than we anticipated due to labor shortages in the construction industry that hit the aquatics specialization areas very hard. Nonetheless, the entire team worked extremely hard to get us open without sacrificing high quality standards. There will be a necessary period of completing punch list issues and establishing all our new routines, but we are thrilled to have the Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center filled again with swimmers of all ages.”
