Opening Date of Renovated Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center Delayed Again

The Reston Community Center has once again delayed the opening date of its renovated Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center. The facility is expected to open in January, two months later than originally estimated.

Delays were caused by challenging completing interlocking activities, according to RCC. For example, work on plumbing, electrical and mechanical pumping systems is dependent on each other. Additionally, tiling must be done while the deck space is used to access other work areas.

In a statement posted online, RCC stated that Branch Builds, the contractor, expects the project to be completed by Jan. 3.

“Branch Builds is working with its sub-contractors to schedule as much work simultaneously as feasible, but this sequential nature of the work makes that challenging. As much weekend, overtime and extra work as possible is being scheduled to move forward expeditiously,”

Here’s more from the statement:

Of course, everyone involved with the project, and all of us at RCC, are extremely sorry about the delays and the disappointment they are creating for our patrons and swim teams. The special pricing we hoped to offer in December ($1 a swim) will be a “Happy New Year” offer to Reston patrons for the month of January. RCC is working with FCPS and hopes to provide assistance to the swim team to find alternative space for them until January. Our fervent hope is that we will meet this latest target date and be back in the swim of things at the outset of the New Year. We profoundly appreciate the public’s patience.

As a result, activities planned before Jan. 4 will be canceled and the start of Saturday and Sunday swim lessons will begin on Jan. 11. Learn-to-swim and exercise programming will remain on schedule, with a start date of Jan. 6.

RCC says it will monitor progress daily to determine if other action is needed. 

The facility — which was built in 1979 — was closed this year to jumpstart the renovation effort.

Photo via RCC