Sussex Academy breaks ground for pool

A new state-of-the art aquatics center in Georgetown may be ready for swim competitions by summer, with balcony seating and room for 275 spectators.

Sussex Academy officially broke ground Jan. 7 for a 25-yard pool and aquatics center.

“Sussex County needs a good, indoor pool that can accommodate large swim meets,” said developer Chris Schell, whose company is paying for and building the pool. “It is our hope that this pool be used as an amenity for the entire area, not only for Sussex Academy students.”

The pool will have eight lanes for competition swimming with a state-of-the-art timing system, scoreboard and a meet management system. An extra large deck will accommodate large swim meets, Schell said.

The groundbreaking was delayed when a consultant was hired to review the plans before building began. Humidity and indoor air quality are important with an indoor pool, Schell said. If you can smell chlorine, it indicates a toxic situation, he said. To keep the water as clean and safe as possible, he said, the pool will be equipped with ultraviolet filters and a sphagnum moss filter. Fresh air ventilation and a dehumidification system will purify the air, he said.

“We needed to make sure it was done right,” Schell said.

The 16,000-square-foot aquatics center will have bleacher seating for 275 spectators. An elevator will give access to a balcony seating area.

Although the main use of the pool will be for students at Sussex Academy, the facility will also be offered to local clubs and schools, Schell said.

“We are so grateful to Schell Brothers for their generosity and willingness to build the aquatics center for our students,” said Jennifer Scott, Sussex Academy board president. “This is an important contribution in the growth of Sussex Academy. We’re looking forward to sharing this facility with our community for years to come.”

Schell said the aquatics center is expected to be completed by summer.