WEST FARGO -- The Hulbert Aquatic Center has become a regional hub for high-level swimming and diving events since opening in late 2017. Now, the state-of-the-art facility is receiving national recognition.
West Fargo Public Schools announced Friday that the HAC has been nominated for a Readers' Choice award in SportsEvents Magazine. The publication strives "to help planners of amateur sporting events and competitions be more effective, informed and successful with their events," according to its website.
"It's huge," said Gerald Brown, director of aquatics at Hulbert. "We've won one other award like this in the past, but to me, it just goes to show that we're a nationally-recognized facility here in West Fargo."
The facility was previously recognized by Connect Sports in 2020 under the Aquatics category. This time around, individuals may vote as many times as they'd like through Dec. 31.
"I'd encourage you to go vote because I'm proud of the community we live in here in West Fargo and I hope others are as well," Brown said. "We're trying to rally as much support for this as possible."
Other contenders include Cedar Point Sports Center (Ohio), LECOM Sports Park (Pennsylvania), Meadowbrook Athletic Complex (Maryland), Rocky Top Sports World (Tennessee), Round Rock Sports Center (Texas), The Segra Club at Riley Park (South Carolina), Virginia Beach Sports Center (Virginia), Westwood Fitness and Sports Center (Illinois) and Wintrust Sports Complex (Illinois).
The HAC opened its doors in 2017 after West Fargo schools allocated roughly $18.5 million for a new pool facility as part of the $98.1 million bond referendum voters passed in 2015.
"And that's just to name some of the big, flashy championship events," Brown said. "Last year, we had 54 days worth of swim meets."
Hulbert's Olympic-sized competition pool is the same used at the 2016 Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska. The nonprofit group UP Aquatics purchased it for $900,000 and donated it to the West Fargo School District.
"To me it all comes back to the local," Brown said. "The West Fargo Flyers, and then our home high school teams... have grown significantly."