Fitness Center Opens at Long Bridge Park in Arlington, Virginia
Introduction
The Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center, located in Arlington, Virginia, is now open to the public. The facility, which is part of the redevelopment of Long Bridge Park, offers a range of amenities for fitness enthusiasts, swimmers, and families alike. After years of planning and construction, the center is finally ready to welcome visitors and provide a space for community engagement and physical activity.
Opening Day Excitement
Fitness buffs, lap swimmers, curious residents, and families with kids could be seen trickling into the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center on its opening day. According to Susan Kalish, the Department of Parks and Recreation spokeswoman, a 12-year-old girl from Dorothy Hamm Middle School had the honor of being the first to jump into the water. This event marked a significant milestone for the center and its new chapter in serving the community.
Amenities and Facilities
The Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center spans an impressive 92,000 square feet and offers a variety of amenities for visitors of all ages. The facility includes a pool for serious swimmers, equipped with moveable starting platforms that allow for either 25-yard laps or 50-meter laps. Competitive swimmers, water polo players, and synchronized swimmers can take advantage of this pool, which is maintained at a temperature of 79 degrees.
For recreational swimmers, there is a family pool that features a splash pad, a water slide, and a lazy river. This pool also offers four 25-yard lap lanes for those who wish to engage in water volleyball or basketball. The temperature of the family pool is maintained at a comfortable 83-84 degrees, catering to tots, seniors, and individuals participating in therapeutic water activities.
Aside from the pools, the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center houses an 8,000-square-foot fitness center. This state-of-the-art facility provides ample space and equipment for individuals looking to engage in various workout routines and exercise programs. Upstairs, there are wet meeting rooms that can be used for classes or rented out for birthday parties or other events.
Community Programs and Benefits
The opening of the Aquatics Center brings numerous benefits to the Arlington community. The parks department plans to transfer many of its swimming programs to the new facility, which will help alleviate the demand for swimming classes that used to fill up quickly in Arlington Public Schools’ pools before the pandemic. According to Peter Lusk, the athletic and facilities services division chief for the county, the department’s classes are set to restart in mid-September, marking the first time in 17 months that these programs will resume.
Furthermore, the Aquatics Center will serve as the home of the Arlington Aquatic Club, a county-run competitive swim program. The center will offer training opportunities for aspiring swimmers, including younger participants who will continue to swim in school pools closer to their homes.
Grand Visions for Community Engagement
The Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center has grand visions for community engagement and events. The facility aims to host big swim meets, utilizing its impressive amenities and providing a platform for local swimmers to showcase their skills. Additionally, the center plans to use a large screen for movie nights, creating a unique and enjoyable experience for visitors.
The facility’s new parking lot also presents opportunities for community events such as farmer’s markets and wine tastings. By utilizing open spaces, the center aims to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where residents can gather, socialize, and enjoy various activities.
Costs and Accessibility
The Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center offers a range of pricing options to accommodate different age groups and income levels. Passes can be purchased on a daily or annual basis, with reductions available to income-eligible residents. Daily admission ranges from $5 to $9 per person or $25 for families, while annual passes range from $350 to $630 per person or $1,750 for families.
In an effort to give back to the community, Boeing, one of the center’s sponsors, has made approximately 5,000 daily passes available to active-duty military families in the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore’s service area for free through a lottery system. This initiative aims to ensure that access to the facility is inclusive and reaches a wide range of individuals and families.
A History of the Project
The development of the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center has been a long and complex process. In 2012, voters approved funding for the project in a bond referendum. However, due to rising costs, the center was put on hold in 2014. It wasn’t until 2017 that the County Board approved a $60 million construction contract, and groundbreaking took place in 2018.
Before the county considered the construction of an aquatics center, the area was home to a whites-only private park. Over time, it transformed into a site for warehouses, a steelyard, a brick factory, and even housed prostitutes. In addition, the area had become an Environmental Protection Agency superfund site, requiring extensive cleanup efforts. Some of the contaminated material was encased in concrete and repurposed to build the esplanade, an elevated walkway that offers panoramic views of the nearby playing fields, the Potomac River, National Airport, and Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary.
The original designs for the aquatics center were ambitious, but had to be adjusted after the impact of the Great Recession. While this change initially caused some discontent, it ultimately allowed for a more fiscally responsible approach to the project.
Conclusion
The opening of the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center marks a significant milestone for the Arlington community. After years of planning and construction, the center now offers a range of amenities and programs for fitness enthusiasts, swimmers, and families. As the center continues to evolve and complete its remaining tasks, it is poised to become a vibrant hub for community engagement, physical activity, and recreation.