The Greensboro Aquatic Center could be getting a $2.8 million addition designed to help the city compete for even more national and international swimming and diving events.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider a request Thursday, Sept. 17, to approve a Greensboro/Guilford County Tourism Development Authority budget amendment for a new 4,200-square-foot dry-land training facility at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
The project would be paid for with existing Tourism Development Authority funds and it wouldn’t require Guilford County General Fund money.
The proposed facility would provide dedicated space for strength training, conditioning, mobility work and other land-based training that complements aquatic competition and training.
According to information provided to the county commissioners, the addition would also allow the Greensboro Aquatic Center to meet requirements for some competitive events that it currently can’t bid on.
That would expand Greensboro’s ability to pursue additional national and international swimming and diving events.
The Tourism Development Authority estimates that events made possible or more competitive by the new training space could generate nearly 60 million in additional economic impact.
The county agenda notes that the estimate reflects potential economic activity tied to future events the aquatic center could pursue.
The proposed $2.8 million would come from accumulated Convention/Tourism Marketing fund balance.
The Tourism Development Authority’s adopted fiscal 2026-2027 budget projected a June 30, 2026 Convention/Tourism Marketing fund balance of about $8.6 million, including roughly $6.9 million in unassigned fund balance after accounting for working capital, statutory restrictions and money already assigned for the following year’s budget.
The Tourism Development Authority has already approved the proposed expenditure – subject to approval by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and Greensboro City Council.
The City Council is expected to consider the amendment Oct. 6.
If approved, the $2.8 million would be used to develop the dry-land training space at the Greensboro Aquatic Center
It was my understanding that the aquatic center we have does not get that much use so why would we spend money we don’t have on a center like this? I think Guilford County is just looking for ways to waste money. They put it in useless nonprofits and a useless woolworth museum and now they want to build more aquatic facilities. How about we put that money into something that actually benefits the taxpayers.
Where did you get yout understanding?
Quick look online:
The Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC) operates near maximum capacity, and its usage and economic performance have far exceeded initial projections. It is currently being utitilized more than even the highest estimates from when it was proposed.
Or, we could add 8.6 million to the general fund balance in an effort to get it back in compliance with state laws
that is some expensive real-estate to do ‘dry land’ stuff that can be done cheaper elsewhere like any room. let’s add ice rinks: hockey, figure & speed rinks & bank their walls from zero to 90+* for roller skate/ roller bladers ? global warming will > the attractiveness of these A/C venues ?
Where do Tourism Development Authority Funds come from? Is it money extorted from Guilford County taxpayers?
“mull” sounds like a good word, like “muck around”…..
i mull apple cider by leaving it in clean covered warm container for 2 – 3 days & achieve ~2% ABV hum
No worries! Approval will come quickly. Sure would like to see future audits to prove if profitable.
Imagine international competitors and fans driving down raggedy Gate City Blvd on their way to a high profile event.
The Horror! But they will dress it up with a flagged parade.
a rainbow flag parade
add ‘low profile events’ – capitalism .
It is my understanding that the Aquatic Center as part of the Coliseum complex consistently makes a profit. Admittedly, I have no idea what a “dry-land training facility” is. If enhancing the Aquatic Center will continue to bring tax revenue into the area and continues to make a profit, the proposal for “dry-land training facility” sounds like an acceptable idea.
It is my understanding that the Aquatic Center provides swimming lessons for children of a certain grade level. The facility is used many hours daily by residents unlike the coliseum, which brings in questionable shows with equally questionable attendees.
It’s great that you understand what out govt is doing? Can you pleeze “splain that to me?
I guess just research and read. Otherwise, I know nothing more than what anyone else knows. Based on what I read coupled with a little knowledge and the rest is informed opinion.
take their money without question !
Yet in Nextdoor Neighborhood posts, people are sharing how it takes EMS up to an hour to respond to calls for people who have “chest pains and high blood pressure” or possible deep vein thrombosis because they have no ambulances to send due to a lack of staffing, and those aren’t “high priority calls”.
I just spoke with a young man from Durham. He said the same thing about Durham; too few ambulances and EMTs.
how often does EMS have to ‘respond to calls for people who have . . . ‘ Daily? Weekly? every month?
Taxpayers of the Kingdom of Guilford County…aka Skippyland
We’re paying outrageous taxes on our property, our cars, our pets. the air we breath. I find it amazing how my vehicles appreciated in value when it comes to taxes but not resale/trade-in. My home appreciated in tax value but not resale value.
This can be traced back to Skip the Omnipotent aka King Skippy and his merry band f sycophant thralls who have the cojones to call themselves Representatives of the People/The County Board of Commissars claim to be for the People. What they don’t point out is they are for the People of Greensboro…Guilford County residents can bugger off.,
Remember December 16, 1773. It’s time for a recreation