Group raising funds for aquatics center

Money raised would pay for a scoreboard and other equipment for the facility that will open next year.

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Though construction of the Christiansburg Aquatic Center is being funded by the town and an agreement with Virginia Tech, businesses and individuals are being encouraged to "have ownership" in the facility.

Christiansburg's $14.5 million center, which has been in planning phases since 2004, is expected to open early next spring.

The two-story, 52,000-square-foot facility will house three pools and space for such activities as recreational swimming, children's birthday parties, and Atlantic Coast Conference and other swimming meets.

The town has agreed to host Virginia Tech competitions, and in return Tech will pay the town $250,000 a year -- or $5 million over the next 20 years.

Mayor Richard Ballengee appointed a seven-member committee to encourage contributions to the center. The committee includes Aquatics Director Terry Caldwell, current and former elected officials, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce members and a local bank official.

The committee is seeking contributions from businesses and civic organizations to aid in purchasing aquatic equipment, a scoreboard, furniture and other interior items for the center.

Ballengee encourages residents to "have ownership" in the aquatics center by participating in this initiative. Those who donate will receive different levels of recognition, bronze, silver and gold, based on the amount of money given.

The mayor plans to use promotion within the facility as an incentive for donors.

"We're inviting anyone to participate," Ballengee said.

Town Councilman Ernie Wade, a member of the committee, said the group is in the beginning stage of its effort.

"We're trying to raise some money to help offset some of the costs of the aquatic center and give people in Christiansburg a chance to participate," Wade said.

While an exact monetary goal hasn't been set, Wade said one committee member suggested $500,000.

"We're certainly going to raise as much as we can," he said.

Wade said this method of fundraising isn't new to the area. Blacksburg has used a similar approach to raise money when building its recreation and aquatic centers.

A major goal of soliciting donations is to offset the amount put on taxpayers in the region to fund the Christiansburg Aquatic Center, he said.

"We've set no timetable," said former Mayor Harold Linkous, also a member of the committee.

Linkous also said that the current concern is to spread the word of the campaign throughout the area.

At the first meeting two weeks ago, the committee discussed ways to attract donors.

The most expensive piece of equipment they hope to purchase is the scoreboard, which could cost up to $150,000, Wade said.

He said the group hopes that three or four businesses in the area would be willing to donate a large amount to alleviate this cost, and in turn the town would advertise their business on the scoreboard for a set number of years.

Contributors also will be recognized with "plaques and other features" inside the center.