The only aquatic facility in Northumberland County, Va., the Brent Family Aquatic Center at the Northumberland Family YMCA in Heathsville recently added an enclosure that extends the seasonal capabilities of the pool.
Part of the YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas, the facility received a $3 million improvement, which not only included the new DynaDome enclosure, but also a new waterslide, pool heater, upgraded electrical systems, and foundation work, according to Adam Klutts, president and CEO of the YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas.
“We wanted to provide year-round aquatic access to our community without compromising the open-air experience during the summer months,” Klutts said. “Being the only pool in the county, it was essential to maintain accessibility year-round, especially for programs like swim lessons, water exercise, lap swimming, and family recreation time. DynaDome’s retractable enclosure offered the perfect balance—durability, efficiency, and seasonal flexibility.”
The YMCA relied on a combination of individual donations, grants, as well as strategic partnerships to make the project a reality. “Fortunately,” Klutts said, “we received strong community support, including a lead gift from a local donor that helped propel the effort forward.”
Logistically, he said, timing of the construction was planned carefully to avoid disruptions to summer programming as much as possible, while making it possible to continue programming through the fall and winter.
“The enclosure will completely transform our ability to offer consistent programming throughout the year,” Klutts said. “We can now run swim lessons, lifeguard training, senior water fitness, and open swim year-round vs. being limited to 3.5 months. It has also allowed us to grow partnerships with schools and other local organizations by offering dependable, year-round access.”
Members have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, Klutts said, with the project becoming a highlight of the facility even before it was opened for use.
“This project has shown what’s possible when innovation meets community investment,” Klutts said. “DynaDome helped us solve a real challenge in a creative, high-impact way. As a result, we’re able to better serve and meet a tremendous community need. I would highly recommend this solution to any organization looking to extend their aquatic programming and facility value year-round.” RM
