Mary Jane Gym & Aquatic Center Opens in Poinciana

Published on: May 15, 2017

PR17-13

Osceola County, Florida – The Mary Jane Arrington Gym & Aquatic Center presents a host of new opportunities for residents – including the ability for children in Poinciana to learn how to swim.

That’s important as drowning is the No. 1 cause of death of children under the age of five. Both Mary Jane Arrington and Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington agree that swimming lessons are one way to fight that alarming statistic.

“It is my hope that the children in the community of Poinciana will now have an opportunity to learn to swim,” said Brandon Arrington. “Residents in Osceola County and Poinciana have waited a long time for this facility and it offers many opportunities for residents. It is a wonderful amenity and it has been a great partnership between the county and APV.”

The County built the facility and APV will manage it, saving the county about $700,000 a year. In addition, over time the county will receive about $3 million from the association on an investment that will total more than $11 million when Phase II is complete.

As a longtime advocate for the people of Poinciana, the first woman elected to the County Commission and its first female chair, Mary Jane Arrington was honored by Saturday’s opening.

“It has always been a goal of mine to be active in my community and to give back as much as I could. It is a humbling honor to be recognized for that commitment by having this center named after me,” said Arrington, who currently serves the community as Supervisor of Elections. “I have always strongly believed in a healthy lifestyle and this facility will help residents pursue healthy lifestyles for themselves as well. I am truly touched by this honor and proud to have played a part in seeing it come to fruition. It will be a wonderful asset to the community.”

The Mary Jane Arrington Gym and Aquatic Center is about 16,000 square feet. It includes a gym, fitness room, meeting rooms, locker rooms and a warming kitchen. Outside, features include a fitness trail around the pond, a multi-use lawn for sports and outdoor activities, an event lawn and an outdoor pavilion. High school swimmers in Poinciana will be able to compete at “home” thanks to the completion of this new facility. The pool has 8-lap lanes that are 25-yards long. There is a 12-foot deep dive well with two boards. The pool can also be set up for water polo.