In the final days before the 2012 US Olympic Trials, a local group has purchased the warm-up pool being used to support next week’s meet, and their intent is to keep the pool in Omaha.
The competition pool will be shipped across the country to Charles River Aquatics in Boston, but the warm-up pool from next-door was still in limbo, until a local group arranged to buy it for a cool $1 million, according to Omaha.com.
But here’s the catch – they don’t actually have a spot for the pool yet. Lisa Roskens, CEO of Burlington Capital Group, and Mike Cassling, CEO of CQuence Health Group have paired up to envision an Omaha Multisports Complex that will feature swimming and tennis, among other possible sports, but they haven’t nailed-down an exact location for their facility yet, nor is it specifically attached to any aquatics program.
But they do see a need – the city’s 400,000+ population is served by only three long course pools. With a population that has caught the swimming-bug as the host of two-consecutive editions of the biggest meet on American soil, local coaches don’t see that as enough.
But it will be a challenge to see what the new owners intend to do with the massive 1.7-million gallon Myrtha beheamoth between now and the completion of construction. The pair envisions a facility that can seat up to 2,000 spectators and host major meets like USA Swimming Grand Prixs.
Interesting idea
#jeah!