Deep Dive: Inside Clearwater’s Long Center renovations

Best known for its Olympic-sized indoor pool, Clearwater’s Long Center has been a local fixture since it opened in 1990. Major renovations commenced this spring on its centerpiece natatorium (multi-pool complex).

The $12.6 million dollar project includes the creation of a new building enclosure consisting of glass, sheathing and stucco. Previously, the structure had all glass windows, and this caused excess heat to enter the building. 

The renovations will also feature a new roof, updated pool mechanical equipment with dehumidification units, new surface coating and tile and a solar power system. 

It is set to be complete by summer of 2026. 

Joshua Bomstein is CEO and president of Creative Contractors, the company overseeing the Long Center project. 

“This facility is heavily used,” he explained. “It is one of the largest indoor pools in the area and it really has not had a lot of attention, from a building standpoint, since it opened.” 

A renovation project took place at the 1501 N Belcher Rd. facility in 2017, but it was not as complex. 

The goal is to “enhance” the natatorium and make it “very durable and maintainable,” Bomstein added. 

Bomstein stressed the importance of the dehumidification units in the project. One of the key concerns was that heat created a lot of moisture in the air throughout the natatorium. This can have an impact on swimming quality, as well as comfort. 

Three-time Olympic swimming champion Brooke Bennett works at the complex as development manager for CFY (Clearwater for Youth) Pinellas, a nonprofit organization that supports youth athletics and skill-building programs. She believes the project is necessary.. 

“I’ve seen this pool from the day it opened until right now,” Bennett said. “I felt it was needed to continue to serve the community.”  

Bennett added that the initial design of the building had imperfections, and that she experienced humidity problems in the natatorium. “The windows just didn’t work,” she explained. “I think the structure was not spot-on all those years ago. 

“At times, when you came to race here, if the air quality was very poor, you weren’t going to swim at your best.” 

More so, she believes that the new project reflects on the legacy of Long Center Foundation and CFY Pinellas co-founder Fred Fisher. He lost his son in a drowning accident in the 1960s, and vowed to create a safe space to teach swimming. 

“When there is a tragedy of that sort and you have a vision to create something like this, the story is to be told in how many lives have now been saved because of this facility being here.” 

The Long Center has been owned and operated by the City of Clearwater since 2003. The initial foundation that created the facility still provides annual funding to support its operation. 

“The Long Center has a rich history of being a premier swimming venue for the entire state of Florida and home for thousands of children to get critical water safety education,” Clearwater mayor Bruce Rector said in a prepared statement. 

“We look forward to the reopening of a new and improved the Long Center pool, and continuing its important role for our city, region and state.” 

.