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For Immediate Release:
November 21, 2014
Media Contact:
Laura Phillips
[email protected]
305-755-7842

West Perrine Park to break ground for new Family Aquatic Center


(MIAMI, November 21, 2014) - Work is poised to begin on a new Family Aquatic Center at West Perrine Park, located at 10301 SW 170 Terr., Miami. The estimated $5.9 million project will consist of a mini-water park with walk-in swimming pools and a bath house. A groundbreaking will be held at the site on Saturday, November 29, 2014. Officials from the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will join Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss for the ceremony, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The park improvement project will be funded by the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program (BBC-GOB), the Quality Neighborhood Improvement Program and Impact Fees. Construction will start in December and is scheduled to take approximately 12 months to complete.

The new development will include a kids’ water activity pool, approximately 2,306 square-feet in size with a “Spray ‘N Play Zone” as the center piece featuring assorted water sprayers and spouts, a spiral slide and a climbing net. Next to it will be a winding water tube slide with a plunge pool and a recreational swimming pool with four 25-yard lap lanes. The pools will feature underwater lights and zero-depth “beach” entries. The site will include approximately 7,000 square-feet of pool deck with “funbrellas” and picket fencing. There will also be a bath house, spanning approximately 4,968 square-feet, with locker rooms for both men and women with showers, changing areas and restrooms; a concession with food and refreshments; a first aid room; staff offices; and a breezeway.

“The Family Aquatic Center at West Perrine Park is going to be a refreshing and favorite spot for Miami-Dade County residents and visitors who enjoy swimming pools and the many health benefits associated with swimming,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Thanks to our Parks Department’s great work in revitalizing our public park spaces, we are becoming a better and healthier community.”

“I am pleased that neighbors will soon have a new state-of-the-art aquatic center as one of the many recreational features of West Perrine Park,” said Commissioner Moss. “The Parks Department has designed a great family-oriented pool facility that will enrich lives and be a hub for health and wellness in this neighborhood for years to come.”

“This new development will combine the play elements of a water park with an accessible community pool that will include Learn-to-Swim classes for kids, swimming competitions and other aquatics-based fitness and exercise programs for people of all ages and abilities,” said Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys.

The new development is a result of the implementation of the Miami-Dade Parks Master Plan Mission to connect people and parks for life. The Plan aims to provide facilities, programs and services that create Great Parks, Great Public Spaces, Great Natural and Cultural Places, Great Streets, and Great Greenways, Trails and Water Trails to help create greater connectivity amongst residents, improve their health and sense of wellness and to conserve the environment that sustains us all.

Miami-Dade Parks’ Design Team and Build Team will work to complete this project with architectural consultants KVH Architects, PA; Aquadynamics Design Group, Inc.; TLC Engineering for Architecture; and Laura Llerena and Associates, Inc.; and construction contractor TC & F Builders, Corp.

The 9-acre park also has a recreation center, three tennis courts, two basketball courts, a baseball field, a softball field, an outdoor fitness gym, a playground, a picnic shelter, and barbeque grilling area.

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Miami Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks.

Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.org.

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