The Association of Poinciana Villages is excited to announce their new partnership with the Special Olympics. On May 20, Special Olympics athletes who are either APV residents or live near Poinciana began using the new Vance Harmon Park facilities. Swimmers will use the new state-of-the-art competition pool for practice every Saturday. Previously, these athletes would have to travel more than 30 miles to the nearest practice facility.

“The renovations made to Vance Harmon Park are providing Poinciana Villages with some of the most advanced facilities in the area,” said Mark Maldonado, General Manager of the association. “It was important to us to provide access to these facilities not just to APV residents but to residents of the surrounding communities as well. We are thrilled about our new partnership with the Special Olympics.”

The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults eight years of age and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are currently more than 800 Special Olympics athletes across Polk and Osceola County.

“I have seen time and time again what good the Special Olympics can do for a community,” said Ben Wruble, Director of the Special Olympics in Osceola County. “Of course, the athletes benefit, but it’s amazing how much the community benefits as well. We are looking forward to a long-standing relationship with APV and are excited to utilize their gorgeous new facilities.”

The Mary Jane Arrington Gym and Aquatic Center of Vance Harmon Park’s competition pool holds 285,000 gallons of water and offers eight, 25-meter swim lanes, 12-foot diving wells, two diving boards and a handicap lift. The community center, which boasts 16-thousand square feet of space, will provide restrooms and a locker room for those using the pool.

The inauguration of the new pool took place on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Special Olympics athletes participated in an exhibition swim race.

“This is just the beginning of a wonderful partnership with the Special Olympics and we are looking forward to having our residents become more involved with this wonderful organization,” said Mr. Maldonado.