A Community Rallies to Change Kids' Lives in Santa Ynez Valley, CA

The community in Santa Ynez Valley, CA gathered recently to welcome two modular pools that were originally used for the 2016 Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, NE—1,700 miles away. These pools will be the foundation of a state-of-the-art aquatic, wellness and sports medicine facility, which is funded by the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation.

Champions for America’s Future member Gary Hall, Jr., 10-time Olympic swimming medalist said, “This new, state-of-the-art complex means our athletes and community will have the aquatics and sports medicine facilities they’ve so long deserved, and make Santa Ynez Valley a health and wellness destination for world class athletes, special needs athletes and sports tourism.” Fellow Olympian Kami Craig, a two-time Gold medalist in water polo, participated in the event. “I hope that these pools, filled with so much Olympic heritage and spirit, will inspire athletes and community members of all ages,” Craig said.

The aquatic and sports medicine complex will be the only facility of its kind on the Central Coast of California. It will house an Olympic-size competition pool for competitive aquatics sports training, an additional 25-meter pool for fitness, wellness and therapeutic programs as well as a sports medicine building with changing rooms and rehabilitation space.

Thanks to an innovative model joint-use agreement between the Santa Ynez Aquatics Foundation and the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, students, school staff, and community members alike will enjoy concurrent access to the new facilities. This agreement will help ensure increased physical activity community-wide and provide easy access to training facilities to local youth interested in competitive swimming or diving.

Mission: Readiness member Rear Admiral Timothy Sullivan, U.S. Coast Guard, (Ret.), is an Honorary Committee member of the SYV Aquatics Foundation and attended the welcoming celebration at the Old Mission Santa Ines in early March.

“We are truly celebrating a milestone in the process of building a new aquatic, wellness and sports medicine facility here today,” RADM Sullivan commented. “I have no doubt that this world-class facility will inspire local students to pursue a career in the U.S. Coast Guard or compete in the Olympic games one day.”

Ensuring equal access for the entire community was a motivating factor for the SYV Aquatics Foundation, given the fact that over half of adults in Santa Barbara County are considered overweight or obese. Increased physical activity has been shown to improve cognitive function and boost physical and mental health outcomes.​​

Installation of the pool will happen once fundraising for the project is complete. To find out how to get involved, please visit: syvaquatics.org