Florence 1 Schools and Community Partners to Build State-of-the-Art Aquatic Center
The Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the former Lidl building on West Palmetto Street to create a $15.5 million competition and swim-education facility opening August 2027.
FLORENCE, SC / ACCESS Newswire / June 4, 2026 /Florence 1 Schools will soon have a pool to call its own. During its monthly meeting, the district 's Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 2205 West Palmetto Street, the former Lidl building, to build an Aquatic Center featuring an eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool with seating for 650 spectators.
The $15.5 million project will be completed through a collaboration with the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation, Florence County Council, and Florence 1 Schools, bringing a lighthouse aquatic facility to the Pee Dee region. Once open, all third- and fourth-grade students in Florence 1 will be taught to swim at the center.
"I am incredibly excited to see this aquatic center become a reality as another innovative solution to a community need, " said Florence 1 Schools Board Member Kimrey-Ann Haughn. "By repurposing an existing building, the district is able to be fiscally responsible while maximizing taxpayer dollars to provide a dedicated facility to support student athletes and swim education programs. This aquatic center will not only benefit our students, but it will also serve as a lasting investment in the health, safety, and wellness of our community. "
"The construction of this new aquatic center represents a major investment in our students, our schools, and our community, " said Superintendent Dr. Richard O 'Malley. "The state-of-the-art facility will provide opportunities for competition, wellness, and instruction for generations to come. We are proud to create a space where excellence can thrive both in and out of the water. "
Barron Ervin, Executive Director of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation, said an aquatic center is something that has been missing in Florence for a long time.
"My daughter swam competitively from an early age, and it was such a struggle, a huge effort, to find somewhere to swim, " Ervin said. "Swimming is a good, healthy exercise and something that you can do your whole life. If someone has limited resources, though, they 're just not going to be able to do it if there are no pools available without joining a club. "
Ervin added that the facility is a strong selling point for prospective residents while putting a vacant building back to productive use. "This is something that people who are thinking about moving here from other places would expect a city the size of Florence to have, " he said. "I commend Dr. O 'Malley for thinking outside the box on this project. It is using a building that is not used now, and it will save millions of dollars and time on the construction. "
When the renovation is complete, the facility will offer space for swim teams to compete and practice, plus room for spectators at both the deck level and a mezzanine level, for a combined capacity of 650. When not in use, retractable bleachers allow for an expanded pool deck.
"The aquatic center has many different things that it offers, " said Florence County Council Chairman Jerry Yarborough. "There aren 't nearly as many public pools as there used to be, or many facilities to hold swimming education. The Florence Area Swim Team has been asking for a pool for many years. This is a real blessing for swimmers, and it is a great day to be in Florence County because this is another need that is being met. "
In addition to the eight-lane competition pool, the center will include a three-lane warm-up pool. Two movable walls, called bulkheads, can divide the main pool into two 25-meter pools for short-course competitions or practices. Public restrooms and locker rooms will be available, with separate facilities for swim teams, and concessions and check-in will be managed in a lobby and viewing area at the entrance. The aquatic center is set to open in August 2027.
About Florence 1 Schools
Florence 1 Schools serves the Florence, South Carolina community as a comprehensive public school district dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. The district provides a wide range of educational opportunities from early childhood through high school, emphasizing rigorous instruction, supportive learning environments, and strong family and community partnerships. Committed to developing the whole child, Florence 1 Schools prioritizes leadership, character, wellness, and college- and career-readiness to prepare students for lifelong achievement.
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For more news and information about Florence 1 Schools, please visit https://www.f1s.org/.
Media Contact:Ashley Watson
Phone: (843) 413-4687
Email: marketing@f1s.org
SOURCE: Florence 1 Schools
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