Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Start of Rock Island Aquatic Center

School officials and supporters of the Rock Island-Milan School District celebrated the groundbreaking of a new aquatic center on October 2, 2023. The facility will be located at Rock Island High School and span 23,850 square feet, featuring a pool measuring 109 feet by 62 feet that can be divided into eight lanes using a movable bulkhead. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026.

District Superintendent Sharon Williams expressed her enthusiasm for the project, which received board approval nearly two years ago. “The district has talked about a new aquatic center for a long time,” she stated. “This opportunity is one that’s going to impact several generations of Rock Island and Milan scholars and families.”

The plan has drawn some public criticism, with concerns regarding the potential misallocation of school funds that could be used for repairs at existing facilities. Williams reassured the community, stating, “Yes, we have the capacity to do both. It’s important for us to do both. Our community has asked for this center for a long time, so this is just one way we’re making sure that we’re listening to the voice of the community.”

The projected cost for designing and constructing the facility is approximately $18 million.

Impact on Swimming Programs

The new aquatic center is particularly significant for the Rock Island High School swimming and diving teams, which have faced challenges in recent years due to a lack of access to a functioning pool. Head coach Rebecca Brown expressed her excitement about the new facility, noting that the teams have had to travel to other high schools and Augustana College for practice. These late-night schedules, from 19:15 to 21:15, have taken a toll on student athletes.

“We have to go home, and you have to get up and go to practice and go to school,” Brown explained. “A normal club that would swim right after school would swim in the morning and get two in a day. I would like my varsity team to be able to have that back.”

In addition to the standard pool, the facility will include a deeper end, allowing for a diving program. Brown emphasized that this will foster camaraderie among the swimming and diving teams, as they will be able to practice together rather than at separate locations.

Educational Opportunities and Community Support

The aquatic center is intended to serve various purposes, including physical education classes. However, school officials have differing opinions regarding whether swimming should be a mandatory part of the curriculum. Principal Patricia Ulrich, who has a background as a diver, advocated for swimming to be included in all physical education classes. “I would love to have swimming included in all our PE classes,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of water safety skills.

Williams indicated that while the district has not decided if swimming will be a required course, the new facility allows for the possibility of offering swimming as part of physical education. “We know that many scholars are interested and will take swimming here as a physical education course,” she noted.

Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris, a graduate of Rock Island High School, voiced her support for the project, stating, “Our children deserve this. It’s been too many times that we’ve been inconvenienced.” She highlighted the collaboration among community members and officials that made the project possible.

As the construction of the aquatic center begins, the Rock Island-Milan School District is poised to provide a vital resource for both students and the wider community. The facility promises to enhance the educational experience and promote healthy lifestyles for generations to come.