Swim Facility, Playing Fields Proposed for NOVA Woodbridge Campus

First on Potomac Local News

By URIAH KISER

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — The Woodbridge campus of Northern Virginia Community College, already expanding with the addition of a new building, wants to grow even larger.

The college, commonly referred to as NOVA, is exploring the possibility of adding a community recreational facility complete with swimming pools, a fitness center, and outdoor playing fields at its campus off Neabsco Mills Road in Woodbridge. Campus Provost Dr. Sam Hill recently met with Prince William Neabsco District Supervisor John Jenkins and County Executive Melissa Peacor to discuss the proposed addition, according to county officials.

Hill did not return a request for comment Thursday.

Before construction on such a facility could begin in Woodbridge, a feasibility study must be completed. That is expected to cost $400,000, sources said.

Currently, no money has been budgeted by Prince William County for the study, and a presentation about the proposed fitness facility has not yet been made to the full Prince William County Board of Supervisors, said spokesman Jason Grant.

More than just Prince William County, the college is expected to also seek project funds from the state and private donors. The center could be marketed as a potential revenue generator, as a place for private sports leagues to come practice and play.

Surveyed in 2008, students at NOVA’s Woodbridge said they enjoyed being close to Potomac Mills mall, spoke highly of the campus’ lake and surrounding green space. But students also said the campus lacked an activities center that included a basketball court, gym, lounge and food court – amenities found on many four-year institutions.

The newly proposed fitness facility would be similar to the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center on the George Mason University Campus in Manassas. The 110,000 square-foot facility opened in 1999 as a partnership between the university, Manassas and Prince William County, and offers two pools, a full gym, cardio and strength training exercises, as well as programs for youth and adults. Memberships to the facility range between $25 and $48 per month.

NOVA celebrated in 2011 when it broke ground for Phase III of the Woodbridge campus – a long awaited addition to the campus 25 years in the making. The new 84,000 square foot building will house a new lecture hall, science labs, cafeteria, photography department, and theatre and study rooms. It had a planned completion date of August 2012.

NOVA’s Woodbridge campus continues to be one of its busiest. The number of registered students at the campus tops 11,000 and nearly 5,000 of them are enrolled full time. It’s the second largest campus by enrollment in the college system, second to its Loudoun campus.

NOVA remains Virginia’s largest college by enrollment with 77,000 students at all of its six campus, topping Virginia Commonwealth University – the state’s largest four-year institution with 30,000 students — and the University of Virginia’s 21,000 students.