Picture a scene in which a symphony of children’s squeals of joy and laughter rises and falls against a background of water splattering like applause. Just steps away, a cacophony of jubilant cheers rain down on an Olympic-sized pool as athletes of all ages slice through the water toward individual and team achievement. And just beyond all that exhilaration, another body undergoes aquatic rehabilitation, someone experiences swimming for the first time and others participate in a revolutionary form of exercise. The common element and the catalyst for these smiling faces?

Water.

Some 15 years ago, the sights and sounds that create such a masterpiece originated in the dreams of the Kensley Grace initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to the achievement of a swim center to benefit Henry County. While the timetable grew longer than expected, the effort continued via multiple efforts as a community to come together, go through the proper channels, find the proper location, and understand the intricacies of developing such a facility.

The project gained momentum and eventually found a place atop the to-do list of Henry County administration. The need for such a facility was indeed great, as local swim teams and those seeking swim lessons or other aquatic programs were often forced to find solutions outside of Henry County. Funded largely through SPLOST V, administrators wanted a facility that would be second-to-none, a premier aquatic facility that would facilitate safe, accessible and optimum water-based opportunities for the Henry County community.

The result is what could be considered a crown jewel of not only Henry County, but one of the finest facilities in the state of Georgia. The 50,000 square-foot facility offers a myriad of water-based activities, whether visitors are attending a competitive event, are interested in a recreational program or simply have relaxation on their mind.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a facility that could easily become a go-to summer destination. A 30-foot slide tower, which features four differing types of sliding options, rises above other exciting attractions including a lazy river, a zero-entry play pool, cabanas for relaxing or hosting small parties, and a larger covered space for food truck parking. For the adventurous in spirit, a waverider, only the third such activity publicly available in the state, is also sure to excite. Overlooking the water park and providing a beautiful view of the surrounding vista, the rooftop patio and bar is perfect adult space for lounging or hosting larger parties.

While in its totality the facility bears the name of Henry County Aquatic Center, the Kinsley Grace Waterpark is its own separate entity where it will have its own standard of operations. Jonathon Penn, Executive Director for Henry County Leisure and Public Services, says the outdoor portion of the facility came specifically with its younger constituents in mind.

“We wanted to have something more than an indoor pool,” says Penn. “We wanted something that our summer camps could enjoy, because previously our camps had to go elsewhere to give our kids a chance to be in the water in the hot summer months. We are so looking forward to experiencing the best part of this — the smiling faces on the kids, especially during the summer as families can bring the kids here and enjoy it. Seeing them run around and enjoying it during the summer will be amazing.”

The inside spaces of the facility are equally impressive. A 50-meter, temperature controlled Olympic size pool awaits competition of all levels. Built to accommodate athletes of all levels and host high level meets, the competition pool can be configured with full-length lanes or shorter cross lanes, with stadium seating for 800 rising above pool level with access to the main concourse. The main floor is also equipped with a concessions area for patrons attending competitive events.

For Henry County officials, the facility is more than just a crown jewel in local entertainment. The addition of these competitive facilities will allow Henry County to host a myriad of high school, college and perhaps even national level swim meets, bringing visitors and their money to the area.

“We know that right away we will be able to hold state meets on the district level,” says facility director Vincent McPherson. “As far as national meets, that is a work in progress that is yet to be determined. We are working with members of our professional state agency in the Georgia Recreation Parks Association to determine what requirements need to be met for hosting national meets as well.”

McPherson says one of his biggest goals is to be on the USA Swimming radar by the end of 2027 for state-level meets. For now, the facility is certainly prepared to stay busy hosting high school state and district competition. “To be able to host those types of high-level events and be able to be seen as an added advantage to the local swim community as a whole is certainly exciting,” says McPherson.

A separate 25-meter multipurpose pool will house activities such as swim lessons and aquatic rehabilitation, but plans also include classes in aqua Zumba, aqua cross fit, aqua spin and potentially non-traditional rec classes or sports offerings such as water polo, kayak training and rowing clinics. Falling under the auspices of Henry County Parks and Recreation, the facility will operate as an enterprise, or its own entity, such as others in the county like the airport and 911.

Designed as a true multipurpose facility, additional modern spaces equipped with state-of-the-art amenities are also available for use by teams, meetings or parties. Two rooms that can be subdivided are available for rental for gatherings such as civic group meetings, banquets, birthday parties, etc., that don’t necessarily need to be tied to swimming.

“Perhaps you’re just looking for a very scenic and modern way to celebrate turning 75,” says McPherson, “and you desire to share that experience with your family in a nice environment. You can do that on our rooftop terrace, enjoy the beautiful landscape behind you, and you don’t have to get wet on your birthday! You could just be looking for a modern experience, and that’s what this aquatic facility has the capability of providing.”

So along with creating opportunities for family fun in a safe, first-class and local environment, community swim teams also now have a home in which to train and compete. Additionally, officials are also able to develop young swimmers and train people who just love being around the water, from aerobic professionals to swim instructors.

“We now have the ability to train and certify water safety professionals here at this facility,” says McPherson. “Then just outside the doors, there’s a beautiful and vibrant water park that is available throughout the summer season for residents to enjoy without having to travel too far from home.”

Donna Holder, Deputy Director of Henry County Parks and Recreation, can’t wait to roll out the offerings made possible by the multipurpose facility. She shares the optimism of county officials that this facility should serve to boost local tourism and foster growth in the arenas of youth sports and community programming.

“First and foremost, this facility provides the means to keep our dollars in Henry County,” says Holder. “We have day camp programs which go on two field trips a week, and one of those is an aquatic field trip. Until now we’ve taken them to other counties outside of Henry County to do that field trip so that they can have the experience to go swim somewhere. But now that’s money that can be spent here inside of our county.”

In the same vein, 10 swim teams from Henry County schools also trained and competed out of the county. But Holder also alludes to therapeutic programs, and the local Special Olympics organization which also fields swim teams.

“We’re so excited, for the entire community so that they can have swim parties here, they can have birthday parties, they can have anniversaries,” says Holder. “Then there’s another area, too, our rooftop terrace, that is a nice area also. And now, just having something here that offers a place for us to teach swimming lessons. In my career here, and I’ve been here a long time, we used to have to teach them in a hotel swimming pool, the Holiday Inn. Inside and outside, it is such a wonderful space. So, there’s just a multitude of different things that you can do here at the facility.”

For those learning to tread water for the first time, to those who have enjoyed being in the water their entire lives, the Henry County Aquatic Center now serves as a shining example of how large the world of aquatics has grown. As the doors open and the community becomes aware of the plentiful opportunities that a facility like this brings, the impact can be immediate and profound.

“You can come in looking for swim lessons, but you will be able to take away health and fitness programming for not just yourself and your children, but for your entire family,” says McPherson. “Throughout that health and fitness journey, you’ll also be able to dive into volunteering opportunities to connect with youth, even to have mentorship programs on some of these local swim teams. A lot of these individuals that are swimming for the first time don’t know that the world of swimming has grown far beyond those 10 minutes on the screen during the Olympics. That’s what happens when you step into a facility like this, and I encourage everyone to take the time to get to know the facility, our staff, and truly experience all that this facility can offer.”

By Craig Threlkeld

https://henrycountyaquaticcenter.com/
770-288-7300