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Manta Ray Swim Team Finally Finds Permanent Home At McHenry CARC


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Dec. 8, 2011

by Rachel Sincell Vecchioni

The Manta Ray Swim Team is approaching its 30th year of operation, with the team finally able to call the pool at the new Community Aquatic and Recreation Complex (CARC) on the campus of Garrett College its home site. Not only does the CARC provide a permanent home for the team, but it has allowed it to become a true year-round competitive team, rather than a recreational league summer team, as it has always been.

It has been quite a struggle the last two years, as the team has survived the closing of the Alpine Lake Resort pool in Terra Alta, W.Va., as well as the Kingwood (W.Va.) City Pool. Both facilities were unable to accommodate the team’s needs. The team then turned to the Wisp Resort, where the pool is not quite the standard length for competition – 25 yards – creating an issue with accurate times and endurance needed to perform well at competitions.

As a former 10-year member of the Manta Rays, I am delighted that kids are still offered the opportunity to participate in a sport that teaches so much more than how to swim faster than the guy in the lane beside you. Each of us had the support of the entire team behind us, as well as many influential adults who made what we did possible.

“While it is obvious that the Manta Rays are involved in helping swimmers to swim fast, that is not the only purpose behind the coaching team’s goals for the Manta Ray athletes,” noted current head coach Dusty Huxford. “As a coaching team, we are far more interested in using the sport of swimming for teaching life skills, such as self-esteem, self-reliance, confidence, respect, and team pride.

The team began in 1982, with Paula Briggs wanting to give children a structured and healthy lifestyle during the early summer months. The team held practices under Briggs and her assistant George Collins for four years at the Wisp Resort pool, with only 14 swimmers participating. Vicky Skipper succeeded as coach from 1986 to 1988, with the team moving practices to Alpine Lake Resort.

Coaches who followed were Joanne Graybill from 1988 to 1997, Nan Gangler from 1997 to 2006, Connie Gibson in 2009, Krista Hollingsworth in 2010, and Huxford beginning in the summer of 2011. The years not documented were headed by a team of coaches.

“The team concept gave the swimmers the opportunity to work, play, and cheer for each other as they refined their strokes and improved their times,” commented Graybill. “A lot of time, expertise, dedication, energy, and effort were shared not only by myself but by the volunteer assistant coaches who worked with me over my 10-year tenure as head coach. Their dedication helped to make kids feel good about themselves and their swimming skills.”

The Manta Rays leverage a strong parent volunteer base in conjunction with a set of coaches. This allows non-water related duties to be completed by the parents, while the coaches concentrate on specific strengths for the benefit of the team as a whole. Several student assistants volunteer to help the team as well. They are always under the direction of the coaches and are usually in the water assisting swimmers in learning the strokes.

More here.

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Community Complex Becomes A Reality

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Oct. 27, 2011

Saturday was a day for celebration and appreciation. After years of discussion, planning, and seeking funds, the Garrett College Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex (CARC) doors were thrown open and hundreds of people were welcomed to enjoy the amenities of this state-of-the-art facility. It was the grand opening of the CARC, and members of the community were joined by state and local dignitaries to recognize the efforts of all who helped make this community center a reality. Since no grand opening could be complete without the ribbon- cutting ceremony, a blue ribbon was stretched across the CARC entryway. The scissors were held by Garrett College president Richard MacLennan and Don Battista, CEO of Garrett County Memorial Hospital. The hospital operates a wellness center in the CARC. In the photo from left to right in the front are Linda Sherbin, president of the Garrett College board of trustees, Battista, and MacLennan. In back, in the same order are Sen. George Edwards; Garrett County commissioner Bob Gatto; Dr. Jeannr Neff, chair of Garrett College Foundation board; Dr. George Brelsford, GC dean of student life; GC commissioners James Raley and Gregan Crawford; Chuck Hess, CEO, Hess Construction & Engineering Services; Christopher Uhl, representing Gov. Martin O’Malley; and Del. Wendell Beitzel.

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Grand Opening Of CARC Brings Accolades From Public, Officials

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Oct. 27, 2011

by Peggy Santamaria

The grand opening of Phase 1 of the Garrett College Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex (CARC) provided a day filled with fun and festivities for the nearly 500 people who attended. The long-awaited community center is now a reality.

Garrett College alumni were invited to attend a pre-opening tour and breakfast. About 55 former students gathered to reminisce about the past and marvel at what is the latest stride made by their alma mater. Among the attendees were two who had made quite a trip to take part in these events. Marcelo Grisi arrived from Brazil, and Jim Pedicone drove 1,000 miles from Wisconsin to take part in this event.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting was preceded by messages of congratulations from local and state officials and dignitaries. Among those present and offering congratulations were Christopher Uhl from the office of Gov. Martin O’Malley; Robin Summerfield from the office of Sen. Ben Cardin; Julianna Albowicz representing Sen. Barbara Mikulski; Sen. George Edwards; Del. Wendell Beitzel; Garrett County commissioners Gregan Crawford, Bob Gatto, and Jim Raley; and Don Battista, CEO of Garrett County Memorial Hospital.

Garrett College president Dr. Richard MacLennan recognized the ground-breaking work of his predecessors Dr. Steven Herman and Dr. Jeanne Neff for their vision and determination to develop the concept of the CARC and find ways to bring it to fruition. He expressed deep appreciation for the foresight of former county commissioner Ernie Gregg in working to make this facility a reality and the determination of Sen. George Edwards to find the funds to do it. MacLennan also thanked the current county commissioners for all the support they have provided.

The county commissioners presented a check for $50,000 to the Garrett College Foundation to help sustain the “I Can Swim!” program, offered free to all kindergarten children in the county.

Throughout the day there were demonstrations of activities that will be among the offerings at the CARC.

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Garrett College to celebrate pool’s grand opening

Work crews completing last of the punch list items; festivities to commence Saturday

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News

MCHENRY — The pool has been filled and the lifeguards have been hired at Garrett College’s new Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex.

Now it’s time for the public to take a dip.

A grand opening scheduled for Saturday will feature tours of the 32,500-square-foot complex, demonstrations in its fitness center and regulation-size pool — and a three-hour public swim from 2 to 5 p.m.

Funded by the state and county, the $23 million CARC is to be a wellness center for the entire community, college leaders have said. Membership fees are on a sliding scale based on income levels.

Last week, a group of area kindergartners was among the first to try out the pool when they participated in a new I Can Swim!  program. The free program will bring all Garrett County kindergartners to CARC for one week at a time for swimming and water safety classes.

Work crews are completing punch list items, but construction of the aquatic and fitness building is “substantially complete,” according to a report prepared for the Garrett College Board of Trustees.

An adjacent 42,500-square-foot gymnasium is about 40 percent complete and is expected to open in March, the report said.

Saturday’s grand opening kicks off with a 9 a.m. breakfast and pre-event tour for Garrett College alumni, followed by a ceremony and guest speakers at 10 a.m.

Tours begin at 11:30 and continue until 5 p.m. Demonstrations are scheduled throughout the day, including: 

• 11:30 a.m. to noon: Warm water pool features and healthy heart demonstrations

• Noon to 12:30 p.m.: Underwater robotic and scuba demonstrations

• 12:30 to 1 p.m.: Kayak roll demonstration and inflatable kayak kids race

• 1 to 1:30 p.m.: Manta Ray Swim Team, I Can Swim!, and dance demonstrations

• 1:30 to 5 p.m.: Fitness Center demonstrations

CARC’s operating hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

More here.

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Grand Opening Of Garrett College CARC Set For Saturday, Oct. 22

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Oct. 13, 2011

Plans have been finalized for the Grand Opening of Phase 1 of the Garrett College Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex, located on the McHenry campus and accessible from Mosser Road. The celebration event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited.

The festivities will begin at 10 a.m., with a ribbon cutting ceremony and remarks by guest speakers. A reception will follow from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Visitors are welcome to tour the CARC facilities between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to see the competition pool, the warm water recreation and therapy pool, the fitness facility, locker and shower rooms, and classrooms. Demonstration and activities scheduled throughout the afternoon are as follows:

•11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Garrett County Memorial Hospital will perform free health screenings in the GCMH Wellness Center.

•11:30 a.m. to noon – Warm water pool features demonstration by Shawn Noel, CARC director, and Healthy Heart Demonstration by GCMH Wellness Center staff.

•11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – WKHJ live remote with Pam Trickett, as well as free hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks.

•12 to 12:30 p.m. – Underwater robotic demonstration will be presented by the new Garrett College Robotics Team and concurrent scuba demonstration organized by the ASI staff.

•12:30 to 1 p.m. – Kayak rolls will be demonstrated by students and staff from ASI. The program will be followed by inflatable kayak children’s races.

•1 to 1:30 p.m. – Members of the Manta Ray Swim Team will display their skills followed by the “I Can Swim!” students. The Frostburg Dance Academy will demonstrate the various forms of dance being offered at the CARC in the multipurpose classroom.

•1:30 to 5 p.m. – Demonstrations of equipment in the Fitness Center will be ongoing.

•2 to 3:30 p.m. – Guests can get their pictures taken with the CARC mascot Splash.

•2 to 5 p.m. – A free public swim session is scheduled. The public is invited to participate. Appropriate swimwear is required.

For more information on the CARC, persons may visit www.gccarc.com.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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>Community Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC) update

>Some photos I took last week of the progress at Garrett College on the Community Athletic & Recreation Center – it’s BIG!!



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Rec Center Construction Begins; Pools To Be Completed Next Sept.

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Jul. 29, 2010

The Garrett County commissioners received an update this week on the $23-million Community Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC), now under construction at Garrett College.

The report was given by the college’s dean of administration and finance, Josephine Gilman, during the commissioners’ staff meeting. About 15 county department heads and agency representatives attended the Tuesday morning event.

Gilman reported that Hess Construction and Engineering of Gaithersburg recently received a “notice to proceed” to begin construction of the aquatics center and the gymnasium foundation pads.

“The construction schedule, right now, is on track for a Sept. 1, 2011, completion date,” Gilman said about Phase I of the CARC project, the aquatics facility.

The 32,000 square-foot aquatics building will include two indoor swimming pools, a fitness center, and a physical therapy facility.

Phase II consists of a 32,000-square-foot gym with three regulation-size basketball courts and seating for up to 2,000 people. This phase is expected to be completed in early 2012.

Gilman said all the required coordination meetings with county stormwater management, sediment and erosion control, and Maryland Department of the Environment representatives have been held, and coordination between the parties is ongoing.

She added that Hess has subcontracted Beitzel Corporation of Grantsville to complete all of the excavation and stormwater work. The dean noted that the local company has “doubled up” many shifts and will work on an accelerated schedule throughout the summer.

“[This is] in the hope that if we do get a mild winter, we should be a little bit ahead of ourselves,” Gilman said. “But if we get a bad winter, at least we’ll be prepared for it by accelerating the work during the summer.”

Currently, the stormwater pond and other stormwater infrastructure is being installed and work is beginning on the retaining wall.

The pad for the aquatics center should be completed by this September, and the gym pad, hopefully, will be finished before November, Gilman said.

Because of the construction, the college is addressing safety concerns. For example, before the fall semester begins, a temporary path with lighting will be built from the residence halls to the main campus to enable students to avoid the construction.

Read the rest here.
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Ground Broken For Community Athletic Recreation Center

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Numerous officials were on hand Wednesday to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Garrett College Community Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC) on the McHenry campus. The $23 million complex will house two swimming pools and a physical therapy facility run by Garrett County Memorial Hospital, plus a gymnasium with event seating for 2,000 people. The first phase, which is the 32,000-square-foot aquatics center, is to be completed by the fall of 2011. The gymnasium will be in phase two. Senator George Edwards, one of yesterday’s guest speakers, was instrumental in securing $17 million from the state of Maryland for the project. The remaining funds are being provided by the county.

The county commissioners initially voted against the project, but reversed that decision after both an outcry from several thousand residents, and a reworking of the funding plan accomplished by college officials. Pictured at the event, from left, are Edwards; Jerry Zimmerman (who helped rework the funding plan); Commissioner Ernie Gregg; Josephine Gilman (who worked with Zimmerman); Dr. Jeanne Neff, interim president of Garrett College; Dusty Huxford, community partner, Manta Ray Swim League; Wendell Teets, superintendent of Garrett County schools; Linda Sherbin, chairperson of the Garrett College board of trustees; Don Battista, president/CEO of Garrett County Memorial Hospital; Catherine Patterson, GC student representative; David Whale, Grimm Parker Architects; Delegate Wendell Beitzel; Commissioner Fred Holliday; and Chuck Hess, CEO of Hess Construction. Click on the photo to see a conceptual drawing of the new facility, and to view a video of part of the ceremony. Photo by John McEwen.

See the video of the ceremony here (Video Glenn Tolbert).

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350