$36Mil Capital Region Aquatic Center to be Built in Local Mall

Malls all over the country and here in the Capital Region are pivoting to entertainment complexes. There is a local shopping center that is turning part of its mall into a $36 million aquatic center.

Wasn't The Capital Region Aquatic Center Looking at Mohawk Harbor?

Back in November, there were plans to include the Capital Region Aquatic Center in the $600 million Mohawk Harbor redevelopment project. Those plans also include building a hockey arena and events center that would be Union College's hockey teams' home ice. Representatives from the aquatic center realized the space wouldn't allow for them to grow.

Which Mall Will the Capital Region Aquatic Center Be Built?

A letter of intent to lease more than 80,000 square feet at the ViaPort Rotterdam Mall. The swimming and diving complex would attract thousands of swimmers and add more than nine million dollars to the local economy each year according to the Albany Business Review.

What Do The Plans Entail?

The Capital Region Aquatic Center will have three pools with one being an Olympic fifty meter pool with a diving platform. It will offer many programs including swimming, training, and physical therapy for kids, adults, people with special needs, and veterans. The main focus of the center is to host large swimming and diving competitions. This will bring in people from hundreds of miles away.

Where Will It Be Built in ViaPort?

The plan is to build the aquatic center near the 99 Restaurant and the old Kmart. They may have to relocate the food court too.

Kara Haraden, the president of the Capital Region Aquatic Center said of the project,

Repurposing part of the mall itself is exciting, but this will give us room for expansion. It will be an economic engine that will bring life back to that area.

The organization is hoping to begin construction in the early part of 2024.