YMCA unveils new aquatic center

The Tiffin YMCA pool redesign and replacement project is complete. Charles "Buster" Ardner, CEO of the YMCA of Bucyrus-Tiffin, said the new aquatic center passed its final inspection Oct. 31, and the pools opened to swim teams Nov. 1 and YMCA members Nov. 4. The response, he said, "has been great." According to a press release provided by Ardner, the original pools were built in 1974, and had "reached the end" of their useful life. Ardner said the most fiscally responsible option for a long-term scenario was to replace them. The newly designed facility features "two state-of-the-art pools manufactured by Mythra Pools of Italy - the company known for crafting Olympic-standard pools," Ardner said in the release. The pool redesign and construction was a collaboration between Omni Pools & Scapes, Dunbar Mechanical, and Clouse Construction, he said. The aquatic center now offers a competition pool with six lanes and an ADA-compliant programming pool with two lanes and a zero-entry ramp. The pools are kept at 79 degrees and 84 degrees, respectively. "These updates will enable more frequent pool use, expanded programming, and better energy efficiency with modernized filtration systems," Ardner said. The facility serves as the home for the Tiffin Tidal Waves, Tiffin Columbian's high school swim team, and Heidelberg University's swim team, and also is for use by YMCA members. Swim classes currently aren't being offered, Ardner said, but plans are in the works to "get the programming going." In addition, he said, family fun nights and movie nights in the aquatic center likely will be planned in the future. A capital campaign with a goal of $2.1 million continues for the project, Ardner said, and $1.5 million has been raised thus far. The opening of the new aquatic center, Ardner said, "marks an important milestone for the YMCA and the Tiffin community, underscoring a legacy of dedication to community health and well-being." A ribbon cutting at the YMCA will take place at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13.