Extended Holiday Splash Zone Hours!

December 27, 30 & 31 - Extended Splash Zone Hours
12:30 - 3 p.m. & 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Aquatic Center Closed

Thursday, January 2, 2014
Early morning lap swim begins at 5:30 a.m.
All weekdays, Monday through Friday, lap swim and
the fitness room will open at 5:30 a.m.

January 2 & 3 - Extended Splash Zone Hours
12:30 - 3 p.m. & 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 4 - Join us for our New Year's Luau!

Try our MLA Master's program FREE!!

Holiday Membership Special! 25% OFF, 3 and 6 Month Packages!

Thank you to the voters for your support!

A note from Executive Director, Jack Huisingh:

To our supporters in Holland Public School District which includes; the city of Holland and portions of Holland and Laketown Townships,

November 5 was great day for us at the Holland Community Aquatic Center!  I believe it was also a great day for West Michigan.  We were very pleased to learn that you, and an overwhelming majority of voters, agreed with our mission here at the aquatic center to; “enrich lives through aquatics by investing in people, pools, programs, and partnerships.”  Your votes to sustain and increase our operational budget will help us stay sustainable for you in light of increasing utility and general operational costs.  As your new Director here at the Aquatics Center, I promise to continue work to be the best possible leader of our team and a good steward of these resources.  Together we are working hard to; grow a stronger team, improve our partnerships, and to build a more viable and sustainable business to serve each of you both now and in the future.

We look forward to seeing you and your extended families here at the Aquatics Center!

Sincerely,

Jack Huisingh

Join us on Saturday, January 4 for a New Year's Luau!

January - April 2014 Splash Brochure - Now Available Online!

Our January - April, 2014, Splash brochure is now available to view at www.hollandaquaticcenter.org!
You'll find information about upcoming hours, swim lessons, fitness class, lifeguard training and much, much, more! We will be offering your favorites like, Parent & Tot Classes, Underwater Hockey and Adult Lessons as well as our new Adult Swim- Fit Masters program and new fitness classes like Water Warriors and Finning. We'll offer classes for babies, kids, adults and seniors and offerings 7-days each week. Beginning on Jan. 2, 2014, we will be opening at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and we'll also continue offering weekend hours for all areas. Our facility features a Splash Zone (indoor water park), 50 Meter Pool, Instructional Pool, Therapy Pool and Fitness Room so whatever your age, fitness level or ability - we can meet your aquatic needs, so stop in and see us!!

MLA Green Team Begins Next Week!

Adult Swim Fit - Masters Begins Nov. 6!

Adult Swim Fit - Masters (ASF-M) is an adult aquatic program for fitness swimmers, triathletes, competitive swimmers, and those who choose swimming as a primary activity for a healthier mind, body and spirit.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A "MASTERFUL" swimmer to join this program.  Anyone over 18 years of age, who can swim 25 yards, is welcome to join!  The goal of each practice is to become a better swimmer.  A full-time professional coach provides expert and caring assistance in improving technique, stroke mechanics and goal setting.  Each practice will accommodate all skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced, or triathletes.

 

First Practice - Wednesday, November 6!

Practices:    Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 5:30 - 7 a.m.

                  Monday, Wednesday, 11 a.m. -12 Noon

Fees:          Member - $30/month

                  Resident - $40/month

                  Non-Resident - $50/month

Registration: www.iswimmla.org                          

HCAC Welcomes Coach Mike Daley!

  Mike is a seasoned swim coach with extensive knowledge of teaching, learning, training, and motivational techniques. His coaching philosophy focuses on improving technique in order to help swimmers move through the water with grace, flow and efficiency. Mike believes that speed will follow when swimmers master ease in the water. His coaching is holistic, helping athletes develop intellectual, physical, and psychological skills resulting in enhanced performance and a keen love of the sport.

  Mike is an active competitive swimmer, triathlete, and runner, having competed in national swimming championships, open water competition, and triathlons, in all distances, both nationally and internationally. 

A New Era for Holland Community Aquatic Center

MY TAKE — A new era begins at the Holland Community Aquatic Center

By Greg Oppenhuizen

— On Oct. 1, the Holland Aquatic Center began a new era with the appointment of local business leader Jack Huisingh as the new executive director of Holland’s own world-class aquatic facility. Huisingh’s appointment followed the appointment of Troy Emmons as aquatic director in June. The Aquatic Center is continuing down the road as Michigan’s premier swimming program and facility.

The new executive director’s first order of business is the Nov. 5 operating millage election.
The Holland Area Community Swimming Pool Authority (HACSPA), an independent municipal authority, was created in the late 1990s. HACSPA owns and operates the Holland Community Aquatic Center.  On opening the doors in 1999, the Aquatic Center levied an operating and debt service millage of 1.98 mills. On the Nov. 5 ballot, the Aquatic Center is seeking an operating millage of 1.0 mill. Approval of this millage will make the total Aquatic Center levy 1.72 mills for debt service and operations. An increase in the operating mileage is offset by a decrease in the debt service levy even as the property values in our community have diminished. That’s a remarkable accomplishment! The Aquatic Center asks you to vote on the 1-mill proposal to help HACSPA obtain a sustainable and vibrant future.

The Aquatic Center continues daily to serve the greater Holland community. As an integral part of our phenomenal facility, programming has grown through the years and continues to excel. This fall the Aquatic Center restructured and improved its premier, no-cost-to-the-kids instructional swimming program for both public and private grade school children. A feature of the new curriculum is increased pool time provided for in-water instruction. The kids, teachers and parents are feeling the excitement. The program provides clear, meaningful accomplishment levels for swimming and safety and a tangible reward as the children achieve greater and greater skills. We are also creating more opportunities for children to extend their accomplishments beyond the school-based program.
As part of our strategic plan, the Aquatic Center board has scheduled ongoing opportunities for community evaluation and input to our programming, and this fall, to accommodate community requests, we expanded morning and afternoon lap swim hours.

Our competitive program continues to excel under the leadership of Troy Emmons and we can look forward to the development of even more national-caliber swimmers. Moreover, because the Holland Community Aquatic Center is a leading facility in Michigan, it is host for many large swim meets, which each time bring hundreds of swimmers and their families to our community. Participants in large, multi-day events contribute to the greater Holland economy with dollars they spend while staying in our community.

We are planning additional programming for all ages, including swimming instruction as well as other opportunities for fitness, aquatic sports and recreation. The Aquatic Center for years has enjoyed the support of the Holland area community. We look forward to serving the Holland area for many years to come. Please vote on Nov. 5.

— Greg Oppenhuizen is chairman of the Holland Area Community Swimming Pool Authority.

As published in the Holland Sentinel on October 22, 2013

Meet & Greet with Jack Huisingh

Celebrate with us!

Please join us for a meet and greet with our
new Executive Director, Jack Huisingh.

Friday, October 11, 3 - 5 p.m.
at Holland Community Aquatic Center

Everyone is welcome!

Please Vote November 5!

Please vote Tuesday, November 5!  Help us shape the best future for a vibrant community resource. The Holland Community Aquatic Center Board asks you to vote on the 1 mill proposal on Tuesday, November 5.  Our unique Aquatic Center has.... provided swim lessons to area youngsters for more than 45 years. encouraged fitness and wholesome fun for families and individuals of all ages. provided the host site for practices and meets for our talented Holland Christian and Holland Public School swim teams. been an attractive draw and anchor to Holland's central city. You and other voters will choose the future course!

MLA Swimmer Tabahn Afrik Invited to National Select Camp

Congratulations to Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics swimmer Tabahn Afrik on his invitation to the National Select Camp!  Here are all the details listed on the team's website http://www.iswimmla.org:

Tabahn has been invited to attend the NATIONAL SELECT CAMP at the U.S. Olympic training center October 24 -27, 2013!

 

Each fall, USA Swimming brings 60 of the top USA Swimming member athletes in the nation for a once-in-a-lifetime camp experience. Swimmers are selected from the SWIMS database of top times. During the camp, these swimmers will learn about post race recovery, drug and supplement rules, psychological training skills, nutrition, race strategy and more.

 

Selection procedure:

30 male and 30 female athletes are selected to participate in each camp. 26 athletes male/female are selected following the Junior National Long Course Championships based on the SWIMS database. The fastest two eligible athletes in each event are invited. Doubles are resolved by placing the athlete in his/her highest HY-tek power point event. 4 additional females and 4 additional males are selected based on their individual IMX Power Point scores. The 4 highest scoring age 14-15 females, not previously selected for an individual event and the 4 highest scoring age15-16 males, not previously selected for an individual event, are invited.

 

2013 Camp Eligibility:

Qualifying period: September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013. Only Long Course times will be considered. Male athletes shall be age 16 and under during the qualifying period. Female athletes must be age 14 thru16 during the qualifying period.

 

NOTE: Athletes who wish to apply for the National Select Camp shall by US Citizens and be able to represent the USA in international competitions. Athletes who are on or have been on any National Teams or USA Swimming international trips, including the 2012 and/or 2013 National Junior team will not be eligible for the National Select Camp. Athletes who previously attended the National Select Camp are also not eligible.

 

Invited coaches: The coach of each athlete is invited for it is thought crucial to the success of this program that each home coach attends with their athlete. Playing a major role in the National Select Camp are members of the National Team Performance Support staff as well as the Club Development Performance Consultants. Separate educational tracts for the athlete’s and the coach are offered.

 

Congratulations Tabahn!

ZUMBA is back at HCAC!

Zumba is back this fall!  HCAC is happy to have Mary Anderson returning as our Zumba instructor for the fall. Mary was here last year and as many of you know, she's a fabulous instructor, so if you haven't tried Zumba yet, now is a terrific time to give it a try!  This is a great, high-energy workout that will get you in shape. Check out the Zumba schedule and the rest of our adult fitness classes at http://www.hollandaquaticcenter.org/aquatic-fitness.htm today!

Facility Schedule Changes for September

Although we try our best to keep all areas open at all times, there are times we need to close areas to keep them clean and maintained or to hold special events. The following dates are closings due to the above reasons:
Therapy Pool Closed - 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August thru Monday, September 2
Aquatic Center Closed - Monday, September 2 for Labor Day
Splash Zone and Spa Closed - Saturday, September 7
Splash Zone and Spa Open at 1 p.m. - Saturday, September 21
Splash Zone and Spa Open at 4 p.m. - Saturday, September 28
Thank you for your understanding!

Adult Fitness, Underwater Hockey and Adult Lessons for Fall 2013

Learn to Swim Lessons - Introducing SwimAmerica at HCAC

Summer may be winding down, but we're heading full steam into fall with more programs than ever before!  New, this September Holland Community Aquatic Center is very proud to be introducing the Nationally acclaimed SwimAmerica program to Holland! Students will be learning to swim in a high energy, goal oriented program that is fun and focused on building swimming skills!

More hours! Coming this fall.....

Fall Splash Brochure Available Online! - Go to our website www.hollandaquaticcenter.org and click on the link to find out what's happening at HCAC this fall season!  Here are a few of the highlights: Earlier Morning Lap Swim & Fitness Room - This one is for all of the early birds out there! HCAC will be open at 5:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so everyone has a chance to get their workout in bright (or dark) and early. Lap Swim From 3 - 6 p.m. Weekdays - Lap swim is coming back to weekday afternoons! We will still have our swim team kids practicing during these hours, so space will be limited, but we will have a lane available for those lap swimmers who want to swim in the late afternoon. (Please note: the Spa will not be open.) Extended Saturday Hours - HCAC will be open until 7 p.m. on Saturdays, extending our Splash Zone/Open Swim, Lap Swim and Fitness Room hours by 2 hours. Hurray for more family fun time!! All schedule changes begin the week of August 26!

Sign up now for the last session of Splashball!

Our last summer session of Splashball begins on Monday, August 5!  This unique program combines a traditional learn-to-swim program with an introduction to water polo, so it's a great way for your child to gain swimming skills as well as teamwork and social skills. Splashball is Monday through Thursday, 3:05 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. for two weeks. Registration is available at our front desk and the cost is $50 for HCAC members, $60 for Holland Public School District residents, or $70 for non-residents. Here are a few pics to show you what Splashball is all about!

Summer at HCAC

Wow - summer really is in full swing now!  Summer swim lessons in combination with our first MLA Green meet of the season made for a busy morning at Holland Community Aquatic Center.  There is still time to sign up for summer lessons - our schedule is available at http://www.hollandaquaticcenter.org/!

HCAC Welcomes Troy Emmons!

For Immediate Release

 

Troy Emmons, New Aquatics Director at HCAC

Holland, MI (May 28, 2013) - The Holland Community Aquatic Center is eager to announce the hire of Troy Emmons as the new Aquatics Director. The HCAC board/community has a deep desire to "[enrich] lives through aquatics by investing in people, pools, programs and partnerships" and our new investment in Troy Emmons will continue the longstanding relationship between the city of Holland and our community pool. Troy will play in integral role in fostering this relationship for many years to come.

Troy comes to Holland from Katy Aquatics in Katy, Texas where he has been a beloved Swim Coach and General Manager for four years. Prior to his tenure at Katy Aquatics, Troy enjoyed 12 years of swimming success as the Head Coach and Executive Director at the West Coast Aquatic Center in Mill Creek, Washington. Troy was a Varsity swimmer himself at Eastern Washington University and has since spent many years coaching both high school and club swim teams.

Troy has trained top swimmers including National Top 10, USA Swimming National and Olympic Trial qualifiers. The HCAC is particularly excited about his experience in growing a program of 240 competitive athletes to over 500 and 100 learn to swim students to over 500 in the Swim America program.

Troy Emmons’ credentials make for a perfect fit at the HCAC and his genuine love for growing student athletes into the best swimmers they can be at any level will make him a real asset to our swimming community. There are many opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in the life of the Holland Community Aquatic Center and we look forward to welcoming you and Troy to the pool this summer.

Sign up today for summer lessons!

May - August 2013 Splash!

The May - August 2013 Splash is now available on the home page of our website!  We will have print copies within a week or two, but for now you can view all of our summer programs online.  This summer we will be continuing with our terrific summer Instructional and Competitive programs and we're also adding in some fun options like Splashball and Synchronized Swimming!  Registration for swim lessons begins Monday, April 8. Go to www.hollandaquaticcenter.org for all the details!

Double Trouble!!

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           
CONTACT: Amanda Duimstra
616-393-7595 ext. 101
aduimstra@hollandaquaticcenter.org

 

HOLLAND COMMUNITY AQUATIC CENTER
ANNOUNCES “DOUBLE TROUBLE” FOR SPRING BREAK

Two- Person Obstacle Course Donated to HCAC!

 

Holland, MI - March 7, 2013 - Thanks to a generous, anonymous donation, the Holland Community Aquatic Center will be offering a new play feature for Spring Break Week 2013!  The new feature, “Double Trouble” is a 60-foot long, floating, two-person obstacle course - the largest floating feature ever available at the Aquatic Center!

Spring break Splash Zone hours will begin Friday, March 29 and the Double Trouble obstacle course will be available March 29 - April 7 during all open swim times.  Some of the Aquatic Center’s other popular play features like the Aqua Log and Zip Line will also be available when pool space allows.  The Aquatic Center will once again be extending open swim and Splash Zone hours for Spring Break Week.  The schedule will be as follows:

Friday, March 29                               1:00-5:00 p.m. & 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 30                          12:00-5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 31                             Aquatic Center CLOSED on Easter
Monday, April 1 - Friday, April 5     1:00-5:00 p.m. & 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6                               12:00-5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 7                                  1:00-5:00 p.m.

The Aquatic Center will offer a “sneak preview” of Double Trouble on Monday, March 18 from 6-8:30 p.m. as part of a school fundraiser event.

Visit www.HollandAquaticCenter.org for more information about the Holland Community Aquatic Center.  Mission Statement: Enriching lives through aquatics by investing in people, pools, programs and partnerships.

###

Don Kimble, Coach of the Year

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-1202346263930884508/holland-high-swim-coach-don-kimble-honored-as-michigan-coach-of-the-year

Check out this article!  Our very own Don Kimble is Coach of the Year - congrats Coach Kimble!

USA Swimming on The Doctors this Friday!

Please tune in to Friday's broadcast of The Doctors. The Doctors are in, and they’re meeting with Olympians to talk about healthy living.  The episode will prominently feature the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash initiative, and The Doctors will interview ambassador Cullen Jones on the importance of learning to swim and water safety.

 

The numbers are staggering.  70% of African American children, 60% of Latino children and 40% of Caucasian children have low or no swimming ability.

The USA Swimming Foundation is working to change those startling statistics. We know that participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%.  Through our robust Make a Splash local partner network, more than 1.7 million kids have received the lifesaving gift of learn to swim. And through our national awareness campaign, the Make a Splash Tour with Cullen Jones,
presented by Phillips 66, the message of water safety and education has been shared with a wide audience of parents, learn-to-swim providers, educators and community leaders. 

Swim Lessons all Winter!

Are you feeling the winter-time blues?  Try signing up for swim lessons!  We have group lessons available for all ages beginning with Tadpoles (6 months old!) on up through adult classes.  Looking for some one-on-one instruction?  Try our private lessons where you can learn to swim, improve your skills or maybe learn a new stroke!  Whatever type of instruction you are looking for we have it and classes are available daytime, evening or Saturdays to fit your busy family schedule!

Let us help you with your 2013 resolutions!

Let us help you with your New Year's Resolutions!  HCAC offers plenty of fitness classes to fit your schedule and your 2013 fitness goals!