One of the largest scuba diving facilities in U.S. opens near Lubbock

LUBBOCK COUNTY, TX (KCBD) - The Southwest Aqua Sports Facility has two pools opening after three years of construction.

Two of the owners, Chad and Rachelle Seay, say the facility is the largest in the region, and one of the largest in the United States.

The couple has been teaching scuba diving for 15 years and selling swim and scuba gear in Lubbock. It has been a dream of their to open a large location where they could teach scuba classes.

Chad says the hobby of scuba diving is popular on the South Plains because people love to travel.

Chad, one of the scuba instructors has been on more than 6,000 dives around the world. The location will employ 15 different scuba instructors from Lubbock and Levelland, as well as more than 35 employees.

The two indoor pools are for open swim, swim competition training, lessons, membership scuba training and therapy classes too. The business has even had local schools inquire about using the facilities to start up swim teams for High School students.

Crews are finishing up preparations for the Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Free swim is available for the whole family. Employees are providing snacks, and a free Aqua Thon event at 10:30 a.m. There will also a book signing with marathon runner, Mike Greer along with live music by Junior Vasquez.

The facility is located at 3909 N. Frankford Ave.

Southwest Aqua Sports' two pools are sanitized using UV light instead of chlorine, which allows a less damaging option for skin and hair.

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