Built in 1946, VUMAC’s pool has served countless guests and community swimmers over the years. Currently, the pool is used by guests at VUMAC as well as the citizens of rural Nottoway County, including the towns of Blackstone, Burkeville, and Crewe, and other surrounding counties. It provides for swimming lessons, water aerobics, Blackstone Rescue Squad scuba diving team training, lifeguard classes, and therapy for individuals with disabilities and those recovering from injuries or surgery. In addition, the pool is used by Fort Pickett for Ranger training and scuba diving training.  The nearest indoor pool is in Farmville, 45 minutes away.In 2009, more that 4,000 individuals used VUMAC’s three lane swimming facility. Others were unable to use the facility due to its limited size and availability. Of great concern at this time is the physical deterioration of this valuable asset.  In today’s climate of health and fitness, VUMAC is seeking Tobacco Commission funds to replace an outdated, overcrowded and overused aquatic facility with a new and larger one offering expansive water related opportunities enjoyed by local citizens and the many guests from other regions of the Commonwealth.It is not VUMAC’s intention to use Tobacco Commission funds for a limited community recreational pool. Instead, VUMAC’s plan will use Tobacco Commission funds for economic development through increased tourism and educational opportunities. An attractive modern aquatic facility will increase out-of-region tourism dollars spent in Nottoway County by drawing additional conferences to VUMAC. At the same time the new facility will expand Educational and Life Saving (swimming instruction) opportunities for regional citizens in a part of Virginia with very limited swimming instruction options.By building a full competition-size aquatic complex, VUMAC estimates that as many as 10 new jobs (5 full-time and 5 part-time) would be created.  While the current facility annually serves over 4,000 individuals, VUMAC estimates that a new facility would serve over 7,500 individuals through expanded services to include guest swims: competition swim meets; specialized water exercise programs; swimming instruction; a Learn to Swim program coordinated through Nottoway County Schools; and increase in Fort Pickett’s training opportunities.