ABOUT

The center would offer a full range of aquatic activities for community members of all ages and abilities, with a multi-purpose pool for education, recreation, and competition, and a warmer water therapy and teaching pool to support health, fitness and rehabilitation.

Our community needs an aquatic center

A national aquatics consulting firm, in partnership with and privately-funded by a group of community members, conducted a feasibility study to determine the needs and interest in building an Aquatic Center in the community. Based on input from more than 30 local user groups, the Aquatic Center will include:

A 25-yard stretch pool with 8 lanes, with another 4 lanes on the other side of a moveable bulkhead
A second, warmer water pool for teaching, therapy and rehab with in-water bench seating
Swimming/walking lanes plus a therapy channel with water resistance that can be increased or decreased depending on individual needs
Two diving boards and deep water
Ramp, stair and lift entry to support access to all
Stadium seating for events
Locker and changing rooms
Flexible meeting and classroom space

Programs for everyone

The Aquatic Center would offer a full range of aquatic activities for community members of all ages and abilities.

Group and private swim lessons for children and adults, including those with special needs
Water safety, lifeguard and first aid certification programs
Senior-specific fitness programs, including water aerobics and water walking
Aquatic therapy and rehab, in conjunction with local health care providers
Open lap swim, masters swimming and adult fitness programs

Competition and training facilities for area school swimming and diving teams, including CMU club teams
Area school PE, adaptive PE and inclusive adaptive sport programs
Aquatic recreation, such as scuba, kayaking and paddleboarding

The Aquatic Center would generate nearly $1.4 million of annual economic activity by attracting people to the community for competitions and events. This will be spending in hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other stores.

Capital funding for constructing the Aquatic Center will come from the bond levy, costing the average homeowner $6 per month. Annual operating costs will be covered by membership, use and program revenue in a financially sustainable model with no additional tax dollars required from residents.

Transparency is a key pillar of the plan and all spending will be independently audited so the public knows how every penny is being spent.

The economic benefit to this community would be immense with over $1.4M of projected increase in annual revenue on top of solid income and expense figures. It’s a genuine attraction to people moving into this area, to businesses trying to pick a place to locate and the tax base that it helps generate for this community.”

Bob Weisenburger, Lifelong Resident and Business Leader

Mid-Michigan Aquatics Recreational Authority is a public Authority developed to fund and operate a comprehensive new indoor community aquatic center in Mt. Pleasant.

Work completed and provided by Swim Friends of Mid-Michigan served as the basis for the initiative.

MMARA board members are not paid and are appointed from the following Boards/Commissions: Union Township (2 appointments), City of Mount Pleasant (2 appointments), and Mount Pleasant Public Schools (1 appointment). There also are two at-large positions that the MMARA board can fill at their discretion.