Northern Indiana Aquatics Center Foundation (NIACF) has announced the launch of its initial planning phase for a new community-focused, full service aquatics center to be constructed in southwest Allen County. The new aquatics venue will support competitive swimming and diving, learn-to-swim to masters swim programs, general aquatics fitness, adaptive aquatics, and physical therapy. Specifically, the new aquatics center is being designed and promoted as an aquatics destination, serving all of northern Indiana as well partnering with any local organization seeking to develop an aquatics program.

"We are excited to announce our plans for this new regional aquatics center," states Allison Brown, executive director of NIACF. "Our intent is to construct a facility and programming that better serves the unmet needs of the entire aquatic community in the northern Indiana region."

NIACF has already secured affirmation from a feasibility study conducted by TSE Consulting, a top-rated international sports facility research firm, and the endorsement of Southwest Allen County School District. NIACF is actively seeking major donor and sponsors and accepting development donations for the new facility.

"We are both pleased and encouraged by the efforts of NIACF to build a community aquatic center of this caliber," stated Dr. Philip Downs, superintendent of SACS. "The current Summit Natatorium is not only limited in size and scope, but also is in need of significant maintenance that will require equally significant financial investment. The proposed natatorium will enable SACS to lease space for its growing aquatics program, ultimately creating a financial savings for the district and its taxpayers."

Additionally, SACS anticipated that construction of the new facility may potentially increase available classroom space at Summit Middle School.

NIACF plans to hold public meetings to showcase the center’s design, budget, and feasibility study results in the coming months.