About PhilAquatics
PhilAquatics is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose aquatic center to the Greater Philadelphia Region. The Aquatic Center will provide unparalleled instruction, recreation, competition, and wellness opportunities to enrich mind and body.
Prioritizing inclusion and accessibility, PhilAquatics is engaged in intentional planning to ensure that the Aquatic Center’s physical plant and programming will benefit and engage the widest range of swimming levels, interests, needs, and abilities, including traditionally underserved populations.
Our Mission
To enrich lives through a world-class, state-of-the-art Aquatic Center that promotes health, education, competition, and recreation, creating a community where all individuals have access to a healthier, safer, and empowered life
Our Vision
A space where community connects, athletes compete, health and wellness are prioritized, and people of all ages and abilities are empowered through aquatics
Our Pillars – “4 Lanes Lead to One Vision…”
- Advocacy – Promoting access to aquatics and ensuring that we serve people of all ages, abilities, and health and fitness levels
- Collaboration – Partnering with a world class healthcare leader and community leaders to promote aquatics, fitness, and medical care all in one destination
- Growth – Promoting sustainability and inclusive community connection through a universally designed and eco-conscious building plan
- Training – Providing opportunities for competitive and recreational fitness, aquatic programming, and safety, for individuals of all ages
Our History
PhilAquatics began several years ago as a loosely formed group of business leaders, sports enthusiasts, and swim parents in response to the unmet needs of the swimming community, from recreational to elite levels. The group engaged Isaac Sports Group (“ISG”), an internationally renowned authority on swim facilities specializing in construction, project development, and sustainability planning. ISG verified through business analysis that the Greater Philadelphia Region is grossly underserved by existing pools and aquatic programming and that the demand for a new aquatic center is very high.
With this validation, the group began discussions in 2022 to consider a public-private partnership to develop a new facility that would include a main pool, a teaching/therapy pool, and related support and program space. Spillman Farmer Architects produced renderings for the initial concept.
As a result, in 2022, the organization developed a Board of Directors, appointed an Executive Director, and began the process of reimagining the Aquatic Center to serve an even greater purpose and geographic reach than originally conceived. That same year, the organization also filed Articles of Amendment to change its name to the “Greater Philadelphia Aquatic Association” (or “GPAA”), and then rebranded in 2023 as PhilAquatics.
Laser-focused on project success, sustainability, and accountability, PhilAquatics has undertaken a rigorous, data-driven, approach to planning the Aquatic Center. This includes seating a visionary and dedicated Board of Directors, retaining Project Partners to support analysis and implementation, as well all as extensive research of, and site visits to, similar facilities and potential building locations. As of June 2023, PhilAquatics has completed in-depth site visits to:
- 10 comparable aquatic facilities located in 6 states across the country, including extensive conversations with organizational leaders to explore opportunities, challenges, and learnings; and
- 19 potential building locations within the Greater Philadelphia Region, narrowed to 4 finalist sites determined to be the most suitable to achieve mission priorities.
In addition to defining the Aquatic Center site and facility needs and features, the PhilAquatics Board of Directors also updated the organization’s mission and vision, developed new branding including a logo and tagline reflective of that mission and vision, and engaged in governance training to ensure Board members exercise appropriate fiduciary oversight.
The Board also received professional fundraising training and planning to prepare to launch the Founders Circle Campaign and other fundraising initiatives. Future plans include a fundraising feasibility study to assess and document funding opportunities and additional leadership support, and prepare for a comprehensive/capital fundraising campaign.
As of June 2023, the Board has begun socializing the Aquatic Center concept with identified stakeholders, meeting with potential strategic partners, funders, and connectors such as governmental representatives, school districts, community organizations, businesses, healthcare providers, convention and visitors’ bureaus, and prospective donors. The initial response from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, evidencing an early consensus that the Aquatic Center will fill a regional resource gap and bring an abundance of benefits to area businesses and residents.