Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) is thrilled to announce the public grand opening of our state-of-the-art facility on Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 11 am to 3 pm. FAST is located within the new master-planned community, Calesa Township, in Southwest Ocala.
Families are invited to spend the afternoon with us and enjoy food trucks, bounce houses, open swim in the facility’s outdoor 2021 Olympic Trials Warmup Myrtha Pool, and access to the outdoor splash pad. Events throughout the day include autograph signings from professional TYR athletes, West Port JROTC flag dedication ceremony, and ending the day with our attempt at setting a world record for the “Most clothed people to jump in a pool at once!”
Memberships, programs, and swim lessons information and signups will be available for guests. If you’re interested in training at the competitive level, meet the Head Coach of the FAST Falcons, Brian Schrader, and the Falcons coaching staff. The Falcons are the official competitive club swim team of FAST with age-group teams and a Masters team. The FAST Pro Shop will be open for your convenience to buy FAST branded TYR apparel so you can train like champions and dress like one.
FAST is a venture of the Circle Square Foundation, and the 18-month project has been highly anticipated at the local, state, regional, and national levels since construction began in October 2020. FAST will be the new premier swimming and training facility housing an indoor 10-lane 50m/25yd competition pool and a 7-lane 50m/25yd/25m outdoor competition pool. FAST will also feature a 2,475 sq. ft. dryland fitness center providing an excellent opportunity to train out of the pool. With seating for up to 2,000 spectators, everyone will enjoy the action while cheering on the competition.
FAST is for swimmers and athletes of all ages and abilities — from learning to swim to professionals. Executive Director of the Circle Square Foundation, Rebecca Rogers, says “FAST is large enough to train the professionals and small enough to engage our local community. The Circle Square Foundation is excited to launch Cannonball Kidz – a program that will offer free swim lessons to every third-grade student in Marion County.”
Although FAST will be a training destination for some of the best swimmers and swim teams in the country, Head Coach Schrader is looking forward to the impact on local swimmers, “The vision of helping our community was expanded to include the larger global swimming community. But it’s still going to be about the 6-year-old who comes through here and goes on to the Olympic Trials.”
Trustee of the Circle Square Foundation, Kenneth Colen, speaks to the impact of FAST on the community, “It’s essential to have a good aquatic center for the community. I think teaching children to swim is fundamental to their healthy development and certainly their survival.”
To join us at the FAST grand opening, please enter through Calesa Township from SW 80th Avenue (directly across from the Stone Creek entrance) and follow the event signs to FAST. For more event information, directions, and inquiries on the grand opening, please visit FloridaFAST.com and follow us on social media @swimfloridafast.