Brenda Smart is one of the people in Elk Grove who would benefit directly from more pool space in the city.
She's the head coach of Elk Grove Piranhas, a competitive swim team that currently practices at the . She said Wednesday night that she supports the Elk Grove City Council's move toward building a 20-acre aquatic center as part of the city's planned Civic Center.
"At practices we have about 10 to 15 kids per lane," Smart said Wednesday night. "A new facility would eliminate the crowding we have now."
The Piranhas are about 350 swimmers strong, but that number is limited by the size of the team's practice space. Smart said coaches this year had to turn away about 60 people who wanted to be on the team.
She said a larger pool would also allow the team to host its championship meet in Elk Grove–an event that brings in 1,200 competitors.
Smart also coaches at , which also swims at the Wackford complex and travels outside of Elk Grove for sectional competitions.
"Every time we walk onto a campus that has a pool, we're like, 'Ugh, how is this possible?'"
