New $25 Million Aquatic Center Coming To Phoenixville Area

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A $25 million aquatic center described by designers as "world class" is coming the Phoenixville area.

The Philadelphia Aquatic Center has leased 16 acres of Phoenixville Area School District property in Schuylkill Township for the project.

The facility will include an Olympic-sized pool, diving well, and a separate warm water pool for children. Project organizers hope the new center will fulfill a wide variety of community needs beyond just competitive swimming, including youth swimming classes, water polo and other aquatic sports, overall community fitness, and aqua therapy for healthcare providers.

“This started with the competitive swimmers in mind, but it has become so much more," said Dan Cooke, president of the Valley Forge Aquatics Center who conceived the idea for a new center five years ago. "We are looking at the good this can do for our entire community."

The unique project has been years in the works. Cooke, the father of 2017 Phoenixville graduate and now Penn State swimmer Maddie Cooke, raised around $30,000 to complete a feasibility study, according to the school district.

Working with his Valley Forge Aquatic Center and the Isaac Sports Group, Cooke pitched the idea to the Phoenixville Area School District. A major goal is teaching children how to swim in an effort to improve community safety. Part of the lease mandates that every Phoenixville first grader will complete swimming lessons. They were major selling points to the district.

"Finding ways to improve our community while possibly saving lives is an amazing opportunity for us all,” said Phoenixville Area School Board President Lisa Longo. "We all look forward to helping make this a reality."

Organizers hope senior centers, retirement homes, and healthcare organizations, along with the general public will be able to use the area regularly. Local residents will have discounts and get preferred times for pool use.

The process of raising the necessary funds is still underway. The goal opening date is July 1, 2023.

Images via Phoenixville Area School District