YMCA to Break Ground on $16M Aquatics Center
The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina will break ground next month on a more than $16 million aquatics center featuring a 50-meter competition pool at the Nir Family YMCA in Wilmington.
A community groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 16, with construction expected to take approximately 12 months. The new aquatics center is expected to open in late 2027.
The indoor facility will feature a 10-lane, 50-meter pool with a movable bulkhead, allowing it to accommodate both long-course and short-course competitive swimming.
Savannah College of Art and Design Unveils New Athletics Center
A brand-new state-of-the-art athletics facility will now allow the Savannah College of Art and Design's lacrosse and soccer teams to have even more on-field success.
The SCAD athletic complex over the South Carolina bridge in Hardeeville off U.S. Highway 17 has a new crown jewel. A brand-new 16,000-square-foot athletic facility, featuring new, spacious, state-of-the-art locker rooms for the lacrosse and soccer teams and other amenities like a better training room and lounge space for the athletes.
"Never in my life, never in my life," said Mary Grace Gordon with SCAD women's lacrosse. "And my coach even tried to describe it to me. And still I was absolutely blown away. Nothing like we could have imagined. We are so grateful."
Columbia Mulls Professional Soccer Stadium
Columbia officials are exploring the possibility of bringing a professional soccer team and stadium to the Midlands.
The Columbia City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding Tuesday with North Carolina-based Hometown Soccer Holdings to help determine whether a professional soccer stadium could be built in the city and where it could be located.
The potential team would be part of MLS NEXT Pro, a lower-tier professional league affiliated with Major League Soccer.
The effort comes as soccer continues to grow in popularity across the Midlands.
Two years ago, Williams-Brice Stadium hosted a sold-out exhibition match featuring professional teams from England. Local soccer organizations, including SC United FC, have also seen continued participation.
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