Cumberland County is evaluating the potential development of a countywide Aquatic Center. This effort reflects the County’s long-term commitment to enhancing quality of life, supporting and expanding recreational opportunities, and strengthening economic vitality across the community.
A feasibility study will assess whether a future Aquatic Center is viable, sustainable, and aligned with community priorities before any decisions are made regarding design, location, or construction.
Strategic Planning
The exploration of an Aquatic Center is included in the priorities outlined in the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners’ Strategic Plan, including goals related to:
- Enhancing health and wellness
- Supporting youth, families, and seniors
- Promoting economic development and tourism
- Ensuring responsible, data-driven use of public resources
As part of the strategic planning framework, the Board of Commissioners emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough feasibility analysis to evaluate costs, benefits, and long-term impacts before advancing a project of this scale.
In support of this planning effort, the Board of Commissioners approved funding to retain a qualified consultant to conduct an independent feasibility study. The consultant will serve as project manager and provide professional expertise in aquatic facility planning, financial modeling, market analysis, and community engagement.
Funding the feasibility study does not represent approval to construct an Aquatic Center. Instead, it allows the County to gather objective data and community input to inform future decisions.
Stakeholder Engagement
As part of the planning process, Cumberland County hosted a stakeholder meeting in August 2025 to gather preliminary feedback from community partners, athletics representatives, and other key stakeholders. The discussion helped identify early priorities and considerations to be evaluated during the feasibility study.
Key themes from stakeholder input included:
- The need for a facility capable of hosting local, regional, and national competitions
- Opportunities for community access, instruction, and wellness programming
- Strong emphasis on accessibility, ADA compliance, and inclusive design
- Consideration of economic impact, tourism potential, and long-term sustainability
This early input will help shape the scope of the consultant’s analysis but does not predetermine final outcomes or recommendations.
Transparency and Next Steps
Cumberland County is committed to a transparent, inclusive, and fiscally responsible planning process. Community input and data from the feasibility study will guide future discussions and decisions regarding whether to proceed with an Aquatic Center project.
A long-term target date of May 1, 2029, has been identified for potential completion if the project advances beyond the feasibility stage and receives future approvals.