Chelsea Piers CT Names Director of Aquatics

Chelsea Piers Connecticut (CPCT) announces Jamie Barone as Director of Aquatics. Barone, a native of Stamford, CT, has been coaching swimming at various levels for the last 12 years. He has worked with local summer clubs, age group, high school, and professional swimmers. Barone has spent the past two years at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC), coaching high school age swimmers under the tutelage of ASCA Hall of Fame Coach Bob Bowman, National Junior Team Head Coach Scott Armstrong, and Hall of Fame and former Olympic Coach Murray Stephens. 

Also an accomplished swimmer, Barone has competed in the Olympic trials and was ranked as high as 14^th in the US in the 100 meter breast stroke. He trained for three years under Bowman at NBAC, and also trained with him during Bowman’s time at Club Wolverine in Michigan in 2006.  Barone competed at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Trials, was ranked in the top 100 globally in the breaststroke events for 3 years and was awarded the Rookie of the Meet trophy at the 2003 Summer National Championships.  He won the National Championship in 2006 in the 4X100 Medley Relay, with Teammates Klete Keller, Davis Tarwater and Michael Phelps. Barone was a walk-on for Loyola of Maryland’s Swim team and was a two-year Captain. Barone was also a Conference Champion in the 100 and 200 Meter Breast Stroke in 2001 and 2002. He set Conference records in both events.

The Aquatics Center at Chelsea Piers Connecticut includes an Olympic sized pool, warm water therapy and lesson pool, and a zero-entry water play area with water features and slides. It will be one of the largest aquatics facilities in Fairfield County with twenty two 25 yard lanes – the official high school and NCAA competition length. The pool will also be outfitted to host national and international swimming competitions with racing blocks, and eight 50 meter lanes.  The eight-foot deep Olympic pool will have a hydraulic floor that raises to create a water height of a few inches deep to eight feet deep to allow for swim lessons, camps and water exercise classes.  A moveable bulkhead will allow the pool to be sectioned off for different activities.

Barone will lead the extensive aqautics program at Chelsea Piers Connecticut, overseeing the programming and swimmer development from learn to swim programs through a Master’s swim team. Barone will also field a competitive  swim team for ages 7 to 18 year olds. Additionally, water polo, lifeguard training, adult exercise classes, and triathlon team training will take place in the pool. The facility will also have member swim lanes open at all times for lap swim.

“Jamie has a proven track record both as a coach and a competitor with experience that ranges from learn to swim to the national competition level,” commented Mollie Marcoux, Executive Director for Chelsea Piers Connecticut.  “The Aquatics Center is one of the centerpieces of the facility in Connecticut. We are thrilled that Jamie is on board to help us build one of the most extensive swim programs in one of the largest facilities in the Northeast.” 

Chelsea Piers Connecticut (CPCT) is a 400,000-sq-ft state-of-the-art sports and recreation facility located in Stamford, CT, just off I-95 at Exit 9. Slated to open in June 2012, Chelsea Piers Connecticut will consist of seven core sports facilities encompassing more than 18 sports.

• The Rinks - Twin rink skating facility for ice hockey and figure skating
• Aquatics Center - Olympic-sized pool, warm water instructional and exercise pool, and 6,000 sq-ft water play area featuring three giant slides 
• Gymnastics Training Center – 15,000 sq-ft gymnastics training space with a recreational trampoline center and cheerleading program
• Baseball and Softball Training Facility – Indoor turf infield and five batting cages 
• Field House – Indoor 100-yard turf field for soccer, lacrosse, football, field hockey, softball and baseball; hardwood courts for basketball and volleyball; and a 1/5-mile track. 
• Squash Center – Squash Center with 12 courts 
• Tennis Center - Tennis Center with seven indoor tennis courts

Like Chelsea Piers New York, CPCT will combine athletic facilities with an extensive array of professional instructors and league programs for youths, teens and adults. 

In addition to these sport offerings, CPCT will also be home to:

• Childcare facility and preschool - Small class sizes, certified teachers and use of the sports facilities at CPCT 
• Food Service - Food service, event spaces, and catering throughout the facility
• Pro Shop – An on-site pro shop for equipment needs

###

Contact:

Erica Schietinger

212-336-6870

Erica@chelseapiers.com