Adirondack Aquatic Center is currently doing business as Capital Region Aquatic Center (CRAC). CRAC is a planned 80,000-square-foot indoor aquatic facility that will be the premier facility of its kind in the Northeast. CRAC will be an economic generator bringing thousands of visitors from all over the country to the Greater Capital Region of New York every year.

CRAC will be a multi-pool facility with water of varying depths and temperatures to provide programs that advance the safety and health of area residents from infants to seniors. CRAC will bring together all major aquatic sports in one venue. As a facility that fully meets NCAA and FINA standards, CRAC will offer the opportunity to host high school and collegiate events, USA Swimming meets, US Masters Swimming, USA Water Polo, USA Diving competitions and USA Artistic Swimming events, as well as a myriad of local, regional, national and international competitions.

The facility will provide Learn-to-Swim, aquatic exercise and rehabilitation programming geared to all ages and levels of ability, with special programming for veterans, adults and children with special needs, as well as underserved populations. These important services will be uninterrupted during aquatic competitive practices and events.

The new Via Port Rotterdam location is just 2 miles from downtown Schenectady, on existing bus routes, and close to the many hotels, restaurants, and shops in the city. Easy access to downtown, the NYS Thruway and I-890 makes this an ideal location for the entire Capital Region and for athletes coming from out of town to compete and utilize the center.

In the fall of 2019, CRAC was named a Priority Project by the Capital Region Economic Development Council. This exciting designation was followed by a $3 million pledge from Wright Family Foundation. Post Covid-19, CRAC has received $5 million from Schenectady County, $5 million from the NYS Assembly, $5 million from the U.S. Senate Appropriations Bill, and an additional $4.9 million from Angels and Foundations. The board continues to explore further funding opportunities through state grants, sponsorships and philanthropic sources.

More children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death and drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14. With 50% of the U.S. population unable to swim, the Aquatic Center will address the critical need for drowning prevention programs, (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Drowning Prevention).

Bill Brenner, Chief Operation Official, US Masters Swimming wrote, “In addition to providing programming for those who are already able to swim, US Masters Swimming is the provider for those looking to take adult Learn-to-Swim programs. In the United States, 10 people drown every day and many of them are adults that have not yet learned how to swim. We currently offer grants to over 50 programs throughout the country and upon completion of CRAC, we will work with the facility to offer programming in this area.”

For more information on how you can join the effort to bring this world-class aquatic facility to the Capital Region to benefit our communities and ensure that our region is part of the growing sports tourism industry, please contact Kara Haraden at (518) 365-6516 or info@adirondackaquaticcenter.org.