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Grand Opening
Triangle Aquatic Center Grand Opening Event was a great success!
Over 1000 community swimmers and well-wishers attended TAC's new Michael G. Curran Aquatic Center for the Grand Opening celebration on Sunday, October 28th. After a ceremonial pouring of water, TAC officially welcomed its very first swimmer, 13 year old Stephanie Calleja, who won a free raffle to kick things off. "It felt really, really good", smiled Calleja. "I was just excited I got to go in there!" For TAC organizers and supporters, the swarm of people piling into the pool was the culmination of six years worth of planning.
"It's a great day for Cary and Wake County, to have a facility like this open after all these years," said Mike Curran, TAC's volunteer President. "As you can see behind me there's an awful lot of excitement from both children and adults."
Guest Speaker, UNC's Sue Walsh, holder of six current world records in Master's Swimming, charmed the audience with stories of her own swimming adventures, and gave a big thumb's up to the pool's location. "How great it is to have the pool so conveniently located next to Cary Towne Center. It's a fantastic location and a beautiful facility!"
Other honored guests Tony Gurley, Wake Commissioner, Cary Mayor Ernie McAllister and several Cary Town Council members. "There are tremendous things that can be accomplished when government stays out of the way. And I think this is a case where we certainly saw that happen," said McAllister. All funding for the TAC facility has come from private and corporate donations. With ongoing support from the community, TAC intends to continue its mission to provide additional healthy, aquatic opportunities in other Wake County communities.
Guests enjoyed a well-organized day of festivities including music by the Cardinal Gibbons Stage Band, refreshments from the new TAC concession area, giveaways from several vendors who work within the facility, and free swimming in the sparkling new pools. There were lots of oohs and ahhs as families and friends filled the seating area and caught their first glimpse of the three pools.
TAC Program Manager Doracy Harrison reports that programming in the facility has already taken off, and TAC already has several major competitions lined up for the coming swim season. "We'll be busy, but we're looking forward to this much excitement and this many smiling faces every day."
Grand Opening Featured:
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Sue Walsh, 6X masters world record holder |
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The Carolina Hurricanes mascot - Stormy |
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Facility tours |
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Raffle for first splash in the pool |
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Grand prize giveaway |
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Cafe Splash Down |
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All American Swim store |
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Grand Opening Also Featured:
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Emcee Steve Daniels - WTVD ABC 11 news |
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Mike Curran, President of TAC |
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Cary Mayor, Ernie McAlister |
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Wake County Commissioner, Tony Gurley |
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Cary Chamber, Howard Johnson |
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Membership information |
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Aquatic programming information |
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