The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced recently that its 2021 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships will be held in Federal Way, at the King County Aquatic Center.
The Seattle Sports Commission, as well as the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University, will be the hosts for the competition.
Jim Ferrell, the mayor of Federal Way, said the city was excited and honored by the opportunity the championships will afford for people to learn about both the city and the Aquatic Center, and to welcome the athletes and coaches, their family members, and the diving and swimming fans that will be coming from across the nation.
Mike Dinwiddie is the director of the Aquatic Center, and said the facility has a long and colorful history of being a successful host of the highest-level diving and swimming events. Like Mayor Ferrell, Dinwiddie is excited to have the opportunity to share both the city and the center with visitors. Organizers of events like this can use banner printing to decorate the venue.
Federal Way’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee was involved with the application, as well as arranging financial support for the championships. The committee chair, Martin Moore, said the tourism venues, restaurants, and hoteliers in the area had helped bring the championships to the city. In addition, Federal Way is to contribute a sum of $50,000, and additional programs, to the event.
The championships are scheduled for March 17 to 20, 2021.
