Stetson University Athletics

Opened in the spring on 2019, the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center sits on the shores of picturesque Lake Beresford.

Construction of the nearly $7 million, two-story aquatic center, which began with a ceremonial groundbreaking in April 2017 on 10 acres along scenic and historic Lake Beresford, seven miles from Stetson’s DeLand campus, was officially opened on Feb. 14, 2019.

“Wow,” said Stetson University Trustee Richard George ’76, at the dedication. “We have here an iconic facility that will serve our students and the Central Florida community in a 21^st-century manner for generations to come.

“This is a partnership among our scholar athletes; the institute’s environmental science students; political, economic and social science students; business students; our future lawyers; and others who value the importance of environmental sustainability, health and community engagement. It’s a broad-brush interdisciplinary effort. And it’s part of our DNA at Stetson.” 

The Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center now provides a permanent home for Stetson’s intercollegiate rowing program, which was established in 1988. On the first floor, there is a storage bay for dozens of crew boats and training equipment. The crew boats can measure up to 58 feet.

Additionally, the center will serve as a warm-weather training site for high school and college rowing teams. In March, Libby noted, five prep schools arrive to use the “flat waters” of Lake Beresford, which connects with the St. Johns River. The aquatic center is directly across the water from the Lake Beresford Yacht Club, founded in 1944.

“Sandra Stetson’s generous donation has completely changed the face of rowing at Stetson, and it’s changed the face of rowing in Florida,” said Katie Thurstin, head coach of men’s and women’s rowing, at the podium. Thurstin talked about the growth of the rowing program — she called it a “journey” — which began three decades ago when two students, Betsy Cowan and Katherine Bryan, serendipitously crossed paths on campus and became fast friends. 

The second floor houses Stetson’s Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience and supports academic uses, including classrooms, a conference room and the Institute Field Station, along with events such as symposia. 

The institute was conceived in 2014 to promote interdisciplinary learning and research, advance policy development, develop leadership for solving challenging environmental issues and demonstrate sustainability as a core Stetson value. There are four primary focus areas: springs restoration, Indian River Lagoon restoration, climate adaptation and sustainability. Plans for the field include making it one of the premier environmental science and policy research stations among undergraduate universities in the Southeast. 

The Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center promises to be iconic.

Outside of the aquatic center, a boardwalk, some 30 feet from the water’s edge, is constructed of durable Brazilian wood to resist weathering. Parking is limited, and the public areas — including a pavilion and restrooms — are governed by Volusia County park hours. There is non-motorized public recreation access to the lake. 

In front of the building, on the end opposite the lakefront, a fountain serves as a welcome, with a Stetson seal similar to the one adorning the newly expanded Carlton Union Building.

Much of the landscaping was credited to the “magic” of David Rigsby, Stetson’s manager of grounds.

“This building and site send a great message for Stetson. The setting is beautiful,” said Al Allen, Stetson’s associate vice president of Facilities Management. “… This is an iconic building.”