WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Prepare for a big splashing good time in Warner Robins. There's a new place to enjoy water aerobics, take swim lessons and attend swim competitions.
County leaders cut the ribbon to the Tommy Stalnaker Aquatic Center Monday, which is set to open to the public on March 1.
Madison Robertson swims with Houston County High School.
"I've been swimming for about 8 years now," she shared.
She loves everything about the sport, including her stroke of choice: "50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200, freestyle anything," she said.
Her love has only grown with the new 39,000 sq. ft aquatic center.
"This pool has made a great impact for me and my swim team and all the swim teams here," she said.
Superintendent Mark Scott says they're glad to help advance the sport.
"This is certainly a group of students that we haven't been able to engage and provide facilities for," Scott said.
He says they've already utilized the facility.
"We did the county championship here. It was exciting for our students to have that competition in a place that was adequate to accommodate all the students and parents and spectators," he said. "It was just really an awesome opportunity for us to showcase the new swim facility."
The swimmers also have employment opportunities since many of them are hired as lifeguards at the pool.
Plus, Madison says the splash in the aquatic center isn't as cold as their older pools.
"During the winter time we would be out in like 30-degree weather swimming, so it's definitely a big improvement and a big change," she said.
She attributes the new 20-lane pool for her success at the state meet.
"I just competed in Atlanta last week up in the Georgia Tech pool, and I just got some of my personal best times that I've been trying to get for years now," she said.
At Monday's ribbon cutting, county leaders called the center a success for everyone, because the community can use it to swim laps or take classes too.
"This is what can happen when governments cooperate together and when we listen to our citizens and try to meet a need and solve a problem in the community," County Chairman Dan Perdue said.
Former County Chairman Tommy Stalnaker — the building's namesake — shared words with the community as well.
"I am very honored humbled and appreciative of the facility having my name on it, but I want to set the record very clear. This facility belongs to the great citizens in this county," he shared.
He thanked the community for voting for SPLOST, which helped fund this project.
You can enjoy the facility starting March 1.
Morning hours: 5:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Evening Hours: 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Costs for open swimming or classes are $3 for seniors and kids and $4 for adults.
They also offer family memberships for $165 a month.