ORLANDO, Fla. – (October 27, 2020)
The Harris Rosen Foundation and the YMCA of Central Florida jointly announced today that the Orange County Commissioners have approved the transfer of the Rosen YMCA Aquatic Center, located at 8422 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819, from the Y to the nonprofit The Harris Rosen Foundation. The center will now be called the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center.
The nonprofit YMCA, which has operated the Aquatic Center for 28 years, recognized that the timing was right to bestow the iconic facility to Harris Rosen’s foundation.
“There is no greater champion of swimming in Central Florida than Harris,” said Dan Wilcox, President and CEO of the YMCA of Central Florida. “Without Harris’ involvement to save the facility in 1992, the Y would not have had the privilege to serve and teach countless swimmers over the years. We are thankful to the donors, volunteers, partners, staff, and swimmers who have helped the Y create life-long memories, friendships, and experiences at the Rosen YMCA Aquatic Center. Mostly, we are grateful to Harris, who has yet again stepped up for the community in order to preserve and champion the benefit of swimming for Central Florida.”
Due to the financial impact and growing community needs stemming from the pandemic, the YMCA leaders and board of directors have been actively re-imagining how to best continue to serve the community with reduced resources.
YMCA of Central Florida Metropolitan Board Chair, Pete Krzyzak, added, “We’re looking closely at each location, along with our programs and services, to imagine different ways our neighbors, our community, and our association can remain strong. Many of our Y locations have already reopened with enhanced safety measures. We’ve repurposed other locations to meet specific community needs and we’re exploring new virtual wellness experiences and partnerships. For the Aquatic Center, the Y’s long-standing community partner, Mr. Rosen, and his foundation were a natural fit to entrust the facility. We know it will remain in good hands.”
“The Harris Rosen Foundation is excited to bring back swimmers and jobs to the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center,” said Harris Rosen, President & COO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts. “This special place is part of the fabric of our Central Florida community. I’m grateful to the Y for their stewardship for the past nearly three decades and look forward to both honoring and advancing the great sport of swimming for generations to come.”
The Rosen team will finalize details related to the transfer and set a reopening date for programs, events and swim teams to resume with support from the YMCA.
About the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center
Opened in 1992 and renamed in 2018, the Rosen YMCA Aquatic Center is one of the largest indoor competitive-swimming facilities in the southeastern U.S. The Aquatic Center offers an Olympic-sized pool, a diving well, and teaching pool. As host to many national and international swimming competitions, world and American records have been set at the Aquatic Center by Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Pablo Morales, Janet Evans, Matt Biondi, and others.
About the YMCA of Central Florida
The YMCA of Central Florida is one of the area’s largest nonprofits, serving hundreds of thousands of Central Floridians per year through a focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. With a Christian-based mission to improve lives and communities, it operates YMCA locations across six counties. This mission is expanded beyond the four walls of the Y through community-based programs to combat chronic disease, boost children’s after-school safety and learning, and strengthen neighborhoods. To learn more, visit ymcacf.org and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
About Rosen Hotels & Resorts Inc.
Rosen Hotels & Resorts owns and operates eight quality Orlando hotels ideally located in the heart of Orlando’s world-famous attractions, shopping, and entertainment. Combined, the eight properties feature more than 700,000 square feet of versatile meeting and event space and close to 7,000 guestrooms, minutes from the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center and the Orange County Convention Center. Guided by owner Harris Rosen’s unsurpassed standards of quality and service, the company’s team of experienced professionals ensures that each guest’s Orlando vacation or convention is a truly memorable experience. For more information, visit RosenHotels.com.