USA Diving and Indian River State College Celebrate Partnership, Unveil Vision for Proposed World-Class Diving Facility

September 20, 2024 Indian River State College

FORT PIERCE, FL (September 20, 2024) – In an announcement that signals a new era for diving in the United States, USA Diving and Indian River State College today reaffirmed their partnership and shared vision for the proposed future development of a state-of-the-art diving facility on the Indian River State College campus in Fort Pierce, Florida. USA Diving and the College hosted a ceremonial "Dive into the Future" event, unveiling a rendering of the project, currently in the conceptualization and visioning phase. The partners are committed to realizing the vision of establishing one of the most advanced aquatic performance centers in the world at Indian River State College -- one that is capable of hosting premier diving competitions and performances for student-athletes and aspiring Olympians alike.

The concept for the elite-level performance and training facility is unparalleled in design, purpose, and partnership. Features envisioned for the project include the following:

A 25-by-25-meter diving well, with a depth of 20 ft.
Nine diving platforms, including a towering 27-meter diving platform, one of only two in the Western Hemisphere and four worldwide
Cutting-edge biomechanical science integration to optimize performance training, contributing to more efficient and effective training regimens for divers
Advanced sound and video production components, enhancing both training and competitive diving broadcasting.
Capability for conducting competitive diving events on the national and world stage
Indoor dry land and weight training facilities as well as cutting edge medical facilities
Dormitories, which will not only provide comfortable living spaces for students but also serve as convenient accommodations for athletes
Observation tower and deck, with top-tier dining facilities

The College recently cleared land, paving the way for future development.

"We are envisioning what could be a transformative chapter for USA Diving," said Lee Michaud, President of USA Diving. "The facility is not just about a pool; it is about imagining the next leap forward in diving excellence for the United States. We are exploring the possibility of creating a space where world-class athletes could train alongside aspiring champions, nurturing an ecosystem of talent development. While we are still in the early stages, the potential impact on our sport's future is truly exciting to contemplate."

The initiative represents a groundbreaking partnership between a national governing body and a college. If realized, such a state-of-the-art facility would serve as a magnet for attracting the nation’s top student-athletes, as well as national and international events, propelling the College to new heights on the global stage.

"If realized, this facility could potentially elevate Indian River State College and our community as a destination for elite-level sports," said Indian River State College President Dr. Timothy E. Moore. "We are exploring how it might serve our student athletes, while creating a range of educational opportunities in sports science, medicine, and management, potentially enriching our academic offerings and providing unique experiences for our students. The concept we are considering is a training complex that could also serve as a performance facility capable of hosting world-class events. Such a dual-purpose facility is rare in the aquatics world, and if brought to fruition, it could position Indian River State College and Fort Pierce as a future hub for aquatic excellence."

The headquarters for USA Diving, Indian River State College is the perfect location for a new training and performance facility, given the remarkable 50-year legacy of excellence of its Swimming and Diving Program. In 2024, the Men's Swimming and Diving Team secured its 50th consecutive NJCAA championship title, while the Women's Team clinched its 46th overall title, further cementing Indian River State College's dominance in collegiate swimming and diving.

"The concept we are exploring envisions more than just a new diving facility at Indian River State College,” said Dave Gascon, USA Diving Board Chair. “It proposes a cutting-edge aquatic performance center that could potentially become a destination for elite diving and training in the United States. At this early stage, we are considering more than just plans; we are imagining the possibilities for future champions, world-class training, and a potential new chapter in American aquatics.”

The “Dive into the Future” event was sponsored by RTH TV and RTH Studios, a partner of USA Diving and Indian River State College.

The College is entertaining Public-Private Partnerships proposals. The partners are committed to creating a facility that will not only serve the current generation of divers but also inspire and train future Olympians for decades to come.

About Indian River State College: A leader in education and innovation, Indian River State College transforms lives by offering high-quality, affordable and accessible education to the residents of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties through traditional and online delivery. The College serves 23,000 students annually and offers more than 120 programs leading to Bachelor's degrees, Associate degrees, technical certificates and applied technology diplomas. It is a recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges. Learn more at https://www.irsc.edu/.

About USA Diving: USA Diving is a not-for-profit organization committed to raising the sport of diving and athletes of all ages to new levels. USA Diving fields teams to represent the United States at all major diving events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, and the World Aquatics’ World Cup. USA Diving's dive for life philosophy spans the gamut from youths in more than 200 junior programs to senior national and international competitive divers to masters athletes of all ages. USA Diving is also a resource for education and information regarding all aspects of the sport. Connection through membership gives coaches, divers, and fans access to the latest diving programs, events, news, and more. USA Diving members experience the excitement of diving at every level.