If you haven’t been to the Kona Community Aquatic Center (KCAC) over the last two weeks, then you’ll be in for a bit of a surprise. Recently we’ve seen some new enhancements to KCAC like eight new starting blocks and a brand-new concrete pool deck.
The best part? This is only the beginning of many more upgrades to come.
I recently caught up with Dave Gibson, head coach and President of Kona Aquatics, who talked about these changes on the long-awaited revitalization of the Kona Community Aquatic Center.
Q: You mentioned KCAC revitalization, what is it?
It’s a set of projects that Kona Aquatics is working closely with the County to revitalize KCAC. Recently we completed work at the pool to replace pool deck concrete and installed new “best in class” starting blocks.
Q: How were you able to work with the County to complete the recent projects at KCAC?
Mayor Mitch Roth has been a big supporter of our efforts. He ran on a platform that encouraged public-private partnerships to get important work for the community done. The County has limited resources, but by using resources in the private sector they’re able to complete important projects. We work closely with the County but mostly use talent, funding and resources from private sources that are coordinated through Kona Aquatics.
Q: You emphasized the word “coordinated,” could you explain a little more about this?
The project work really is an effort for the community but especially for the Keiki. Kona Aquatics is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that runs a Masters and USA swim team, but as important we strive to improve the West Hawaii swim community. We’re able to accept charitable contributions and use 100% of these contributions on projects like the KCAC Revitalization. We’ve received donations from 4 different swim organizations, Masters swimmers, parents and grandparents of young swimmers, charitable trusts and foundations.
We have close working relationships with our pool partners, the Kona Dolphins and leaders in our business community.
It’s been amazing to see the interest in giving back to the community and Keiki. We’ve had many people step forward like Jason Shurley who led the concrete and starting block installation to utilize their talents to get the work done. We’ve had people volunteer their time and work through weekends to get the work done. It’s been great to see the private sector step up to this project for our community.
Q: What is the goal of your efforts at KCAC?
KCAC is the fastest swimming pool with one of the best locations in the state. Unfortunately, we haven’t held a swim meet at the pool since early 2019 because the old starting blocks were no longer safe. Everything in a facility has an expected lifespan. Many items at KCAC have lasted beyond their expected time, and some eventually break. Our project work is all about revitalizing the facility. Fixing broken items and modernizing other items. We want to host excellent local, state and eventually regional swim meets at the facility.
Q: Why is Kona Aquatics involved in the revitalization?
It’s all about giving. When we formed Kona Aquatics Club, Inc. in 2020 we wanted to focus on giving back to the sport, the adults and kids that participate in swimming. The team’s coaching staff all realize how much swimming has improved our lives and it’s something we want to pass along to our peers and the next generation of swimmers. We need a great facility to host successful programs from water aerobics to swim teams. Kona Aquatics stepped up to take a leading role by partnering with the County.
Q: What additional projects are planned for the facility?
We recently received a donation from the Ironman Foundation for a “state of the art” video board at the pool. We’re targeting a second quarter installation. We’re working on funding for a new shade structure over the bleachers. We have other projects in mind with many of the ideas and funding coming from the community.
Q: Any additional thoughts to share?
The greatest satisfaction of our efforts is to see the excitement and smiles from the keiki that are using the new starting blocks. We’ve got more coming in 2023.