Swimming for All Saves Lives
Wilmington
AQUATIC CENTER
Gold Getter
Olympic Medalist Kathleen Baker's Next Goal: WAC
MARCH 5, 2025 BY MEGHAN CORBETT, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MADELINE GRAY
https://www.wilmamag.com/gold-getter/
WAC Spokesperson, Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, former World Record Holder and NC Swimming Hall of Fame 2024 Inductee, Kathleen Baker, was recently featured in WILMA Leadership + Lifestyle Magazine
About The
Wilmington Aquatic Center
Location/Land Donation
Wilmington Aquatic Center (WAC) will be located in Wilmington, NC adjacent to I-40 at Murrayville Road near Laney High School in New Hanover County. WAC will be located in a highly desirable and visible I-40 location convenient to area beaches, downtown Wilmington, UNCW and the Wilmington airport. WAC will be built on land being donated from Olsen Farm and WAC will be the centerpiece of the Olsen Farm Recreation Village.
Vision
Wilmington Aquatic Center addresses a long-standing need in Southeastern North Carolina to increase access to swimming in the region. WAC will be open to the public year-round, allowing individuals of all ages, abilities, incomes and backgrounds to enjoy the water safely. Currently in the pre-development stage, WAC will feature indoor and outdoor 50 meter Olympic-size pools, 8-lane recreation pool, therapy pool, dive well and splash pad. The Land Donation will be sufficient to accommodate Olympic-size pools.
WAC Mission
Wilmington Aquatic Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to provide a Public instructional, therapeutic, recreational and competitive venue that promotes water safety, health and economic opportunities for all residents and visitors of New Hanover County, and the surrounding area. WAC’s primary mission is to increase access to swimming to prevent drowning tragedies.
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Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children ages 1-4
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Drowning is the #2 cause of death for children ages 5-14
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Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children and adults with autism
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88% reduction of drowning risk for children with swim lessons
According to the CDC, access to swimming and swim lessons saves lives.
Learn More/Drowning Prevention
Drownings on the Rise. CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0514-vs-drowning.html
Drowning Prevention and Facts. Red Cross.
What Drowning Doesn't Look Like. Mayo Clinic.
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-what-drowning-doesnt-look-like/
Association Between Swimming Lessons and Drowning in Childhood. NIH.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4151293/
A modern, multi-use Aquatic Center for the entire Wilmington community
An Aquatic Center for the public school system
An Aquatic Center for community-wide swim programs
An Aquatic Center for training lifeguards, First-Responders and the military
An Aquatic Center for aquatic physical therapy
An Aquatic Center for high school swim teams, age group teams, masters swimmers and triathletes
People
Public Aquatic Center for all people in Southeastern North Carolina.
Place Making
Place for instructional, recreational, therapeutic & competitive swim programs. A place for all ages, abilities, incomes & backgrounds. A place to strengthen social connections &
community bonds.
Performance
Multi-Use Aquatic Center. WAC will enhance the local & regional economy.
