LEWISBURG, W.Va. — A pool facility under development in Greenbrier County is getting a boost from Governor Jim Justice.
He was in Lewisburg on Wednesday morning to announce a $2 million financial commitment for the Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center (GVAC) which is to be built on five acres from the State Fair of West Virginia near Greenbrier East High School.
“It was a wonderful day and wonderful atmosphere,” Jamie Hamilton, the Director of Community & Donor Engagement for GVAC told MetroNews.
“We are really excited to have their support and have that be the thing that is going to make this a reality.”
Hamilton said the $2 million, which was requested by Justice from the West Virginia Infrastructure Jobs Development Council, is the final leg of the $6 million project.
As of Feb. 19, the raised amount was right above $4 million.
The 2,500 square feet site will include a competition pool, recreation pool, therapy pool, splash dish, and event spaces.
Hamilton said it will open up plenty of opportunities for the community and improve the youth swimming scene in southern West Virginia.
“It’s only right that kids from within the state will now have the venue to teach them that sport and all the things it brings about. This could give them an opportunity to pursue a college education and hopefully do it through the mechanism of swimming.”
Plans call for a facility opening by Summer 2021.
The idea for the Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center started in 2015 and was developed at Greenbrier East High School as a collaboration between architecture, engineering, and business students.