Aug. 10, 2009, 12 a.m. - D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty celebrated the completion of the new Wilson Senior High School Aquatic Center with a ribbon cutting.

“The new Wilson Aquatic Center is an excellent example of our commitment to provide District students and residents access to world-class facilities,” Fenty said.

The Wilson swim team, who will use the pool to practice and host their swimming competitions, gathered at 3950 Chesapeake Street, N.W. along with other members from the surrounding community to celebrate the project’s completion, and to take their first dip in the new pool.

The new, 54,765-square-foot facility replaces the original 35,000-square-foot aquatic facility, which was built in 1978. Renovations included the complete demolition of the condemned Wilson Pool and the installation of four new pools.

Fenty on playground

Fenty joined the student body and members from the surrounding community to kick off the installation of a custom playground for the students of Savoy Elementary School. 

“Over the next five days, parents, neighbors, and volunteers will come together to help build something with and for the children of Savoy Elementary,” Fenty said. “Savoy is a great example of a school serving as the center of the community, and soon, this student body will celebrate the completion of a fantastic new playground as well as a newly modernized school they can be proud of.”

Dozens of students, parents, and volunteers from D.C. United, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Sasha Bruce Youth Build, Fort Meyer Construction, and Americorp gathered at 2400 Shannon Place, S.E., to participate in the community building project to install the new Savoy playground.  

Summer Youth Employment Program participants working with the mayor’s Office on Volunteerism are also participating in the playground instillation as a part of the mayor’s Summer of Service, a collaborative effort with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. 

“This has been one of our more exciting projects,” OPEFM Executive Director Allen Lew said. “We have worked closely with the school and community to create a facility that provides the latest technology and all of the amenities that are found at the very best schools in the world.” 

Funding for the instillation of the new playground is included in the $30 million allocated for the modernization of the school.