Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
CHRISTIANSBURG- During the public hearings portion of the May 14, 2024 Christiansburg Town Council meeting, a request was made for the Aquatics Ground Lease Agreement with NRVA Inc. (New River Valley Aquatics) and H2Okies Aquatics to be voted on within the next two weeks.
The Aquatics Ground Lease Agreement in question is for land for the construction of a dryland facility adjacent to the Christiansburg Aquatic Center for the community as well as for organizations like H2Okies Aquatics. The town would lease the land to the organizations and the organizations would construct the facility, which would provide a space for the community and swimmers’ strength and conditioning outside of the pool.
H2Okies Aquatics is a swim team organization offering swim training to residents aged four years old, with their Stroke School Program, to 18, with their Senior Program. They strive to keep children active, healthy and achieving their sports goals.
Young citizens of Christiansburg addressed the town council in favor of the dryland facility, as people who would immediately benefit from such a facility.
“I have been swimming with H2Okies since I was seven,” Laney Alderman, an incoming Christiansburg High School freshman said. “It’s a huge part of my life. Swimming is my passion and being the best swimmer I can be is my focus. Swimming is a sport that requires a lot of time and a lot of different components, dryland being a major component. Drills and repetition and laps in the pool are crucial, but without dryland and being able to build our strength and endurance, we can only get so far. Having a dryland facility onsite would make access in accomplishing our goals so much easier to attain.”
Alderman said she wishes to continue her swimming career with the goal of becoming a division one swimmer in her college years. Her peers, Emily Sanford and Michael Ridge, also spoke to the town council about the importance of a dryland facility for swimmers like them and for their community. They said they are not only concerned about the convenience for themselves, but the other Christiansburg community members who will follow in their footsteps.
“I know a dryland facility on the property will make a huge difference,” said Ridge, 14, “not only helping me, but making our H2Okies program even better. I have three younger siblings; two of them already swim with the H2Okies and my younger sister, who is five, is already begging to join. A dryland addition to our program will impact not only my training, but it will contribute to the success of my siblings for more than a decade to come as they train here.”
The aquatic center is a hub for the Town of Christiansburg not only for sports purposes, but for community engagement as well. The council heard from parents and staff as well and thanked the young community members for using their voices. The council will not vote on this issue for another two weeks.