Alexandria Studying Expansion of Chinquapin Rec Center Aquatics Facilities

Alexandria is studying the feasibility of building a 50-meter indoor competition swimming pool as part of an expansion of the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center, located at 3210 King St.

The study will look at renovations to the existing pool to convert it into a recreation pool with additional features and amenities.

Alexandria City Council identified building a 50-meter pool as a priority in its capital improvement plan this spring. 

During a work session concerning the city’s aquatics plan in May, Councilwoman Del Pepper and other members of the city’s swimming community called the construction of Chinquapin in 1985 without a 50-meter pool a mistake.

Members of Advocates for Alexandria Aquatics, a group seeking to raise $3 to $5 million and partner with the city to create new aquatics facilities, have said there’s a need for a competition-sized 50-meter pool within the city. Such a pool could open up new revenue streams for the city by hosting meets and other events.

The city is seeking input from citizens about its Chinquapin study through an online survey. The deadline to complete the survey is Nov. 29.

Chinquapin reopened Nov. 1 after it was closed for more than four months for repairs.