Warren Wilson College awarded $1.6 million for aquatic center renovation
Buncombe County TDA commits funding for new pool in Swannanoa
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 9, 2025
Drawings of the Warren Wilson College Aquatic Center, which received a Tourism Product Development grant of $1.6 million, depict a 10,000-square-foot facility with a competition pool, diving boards and seating for 300. Image courtesy of WWC Athletics
A $1.6 million grant awarded to Warren Wilson College by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority will help bring a competitive swimming facility back to Swannanoa.
The college, which closed its aquatic center for renovations in 2014, is currently raising an additional $1.6 million to complete the project, which includes plans for a 10,000-square-foot facility and seating for 300 spectators and athletes.
WWC announced, Oct. 1, it would be one of three Swannanoa Valley investments to receive a total of $6.8 million through the 2025 Tourism Product Development Fund. Beacon Foundation, a Swannanoa-based nonprofit organization developing Beacon Bike Park was awarded $4.5 million, while a White Horse Stepstone initiative to construct a covered patio and covered deck in front of the downtown Black Mountain music venue received $737,000.
The TPFD, an annual capital project investment fund designed to attract more overnight visitors to Buncombe County, awarded a total of nearly $12.4 million this year.
Securing funding for the project has been a top priority for WWC President Damián Fernández since his arrival in 2023, according to a statement released by the school.
“This grant will allow us to create a state-of-the-art facility that will serve our students, the local community, and the broader Asheville region for years to come,” the statement read. “We are committed to raising the additional funds required to finish the project—about another $1.6 million. Several donors have pledged contributions to kick start our fundraising effort.”
The renovation of facility, adjacent to the DeVries Gymnasium, was complicated by a series of “hiccups,” according to WWC Athletic Director Robin Davis.
“We’ve had changes in leadership with different directions and priorities, as well as a lot of other needs on campus over the years,” she said. The athletic director and head women’s basketball coach has applied for the grant every year since 2023. This year, the committee representing the college partnered with Asheville-based Legerton Architecture, which rendered design drawings.
The Warren Wilson College Aquatic Center, which closed in 2014, is expected to reopen in early 2027, following the announcement that the Swannanoa college would receive a $1.6 million grant to complete renovations. Photo by Fred McCormick
“Last year, Helene happened, so obviously priorities changed quickly. The first year, we just weren’t quite there and didn’t have renderings of the next phase of the design,” she said. “Coming into this cycle, we invested into gathering all of the information needed to present a complete project that we’re ready to start.”
Announcing the grant allows the college to boost its fundraising efforts, she added.
“Knowing we have this big piece in place gives us some momentum, which is huge,” Martin said. “People are energized and eager to jump on board.”
Prior to its closure, the WWC Aquatic Center hosted Owls swimming practices and competitions, community swimming classes and home meets for the Owen High School swim team.
“We want to bring those partnerships back, be able to host open swims and just provide this side of the county with safe water access,” Martin said. “All of those things, to us, are equally as important as having a home for the Owls.”
WWC plans to begin construction of the facility, which will also contain 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, next summer, with the anticipated opening expected in early 2027.