The Foundation’s flagship project is the nonprofit Triangle Aquatic Center “TAC”, www.triangleaquatics.org, in Cary NC. The Foundation lead the design, construction and funding of this 110,000-sf public aquatic facility that opened to the Triangle N.C. community on October 28, 2007. Nearly twenty years later, TAC has made a national impact in the swimming community, generates an average of $10 million of economic benefit for Wake County each year and helps save lives by offering over 2,000 swim lessons per year.
TAC’s simple mission of, ”Developing Swimmers for lifelong success” has positively impacted thousands of children and young adults, the heart of the Foundation’s mission. TAC sponsors the TAC Titans swim team, A USA Swim team of 1,300 swimmers ages eight (8) and older. TAC Titans swimmers have earned medals at the Olympics and Paralympics, swim at colleges from coast to coast, and made a positive impact in the Triangle community through a culture of volunteerism and philanthropy.
TAC is known as the largest nonprofit public aquatic facility ever built in the country without tax funding and it continues to lead and break down barriers to success in its pursuit of mission and excellence!
The Beginning
The vision for TAC was ignited over a simple cup of coffee on May 6, 2002. A small group of swim parents met at a Panera Bread restaurant to talk about the severe lack of public aquatic facilities in the Triangle community for high school swim teams, year-round swim teams, and learn-to-swim programs.
After months of research and planning, the group came to a clear conclusion — the community needed more public aquatic facilities designed for health, safety, and competition programming. But funding through traditional public channels would be difficult, if not impossible. So, the group decided to take action themselves, guided by an initial mission:
“To build and operate public aquatic facilities for the health, safety, recreation, and competition needs of Triangle citizens and aquatic organizations.”
What began as a simple conversation and vision would soon evolve into the largest nonprofit public aquatic facility ever built in the country without tax funding.
Land Purchase
The next step was to find a home worthy of the vision and could serve as both a flagship facility and an expandable campus for future growth.
On August 23, 2003, that dream became reality thanks to a generous land gift from the Jacobs Group, and a $1 million donation from the Michael G. Curran Family Foundation. A 21.5 acre parcel of land was purchased, just half a mile from I-40 and next to Cary’s largest mall at the time, the Cary Towne Center. It was the perfect location to bring the vision for the aquatic facility alive.
Aquatic Facility Design Approved
With the land secured, the focus shifted to design. TAC’s Board began working with architects and community stakeholders to plan a facility that could meet a wide range of needs — from learn-to-swim programs and health initiatives to elite-level competitions.
After careful planning and community review, the Cary Town Council gave final site plan approval on April 28, 2005. The dream becoming a reality!
Financing Approved
Turning the vision into concrete and water required financial support as strong as the mission itself. With Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) providing key backing and the Michael G. Curran Family Foundation guaranteeing support, TAC issued a $10 million tax-exempt bond on August 16, 2006.
An additional $7.5 million came from local residents, businesses, aquatic organizations, and corporate sponsors — demonstrating the region’s belief in TAC’s mission. Rising construction costs later increased the total project cost to $22.5 million, but with additional credit extended by Wachovia, every dollar needed was secured.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
On June 17, 2006, excitement filled the air as the first shovels — actually hockey sticks, in honor of the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run that same week — broke ground.
Led by volunteer President Michael Curran, the celebration featured Cary Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith, Chamber President Howard Johnson, and the Hurricanes’ mascot, Stormy. The vision that started in a coffee shop was now taking physical form.
Grand Opening Ceremony
Exactly 2,000 days after that first meeting, the doors opened. On October 28, 2007, more than 1,200 people gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the largest public aquatic facility in North Carolina.
Speakers included TAC founders Michael Curran and Carol Davis, alongside local leaders and national swimming champions. The highlight came when 13-year-old Stephanie Calleja dove in for the ceremonial “First Splash,” officially christening the pool and marking the start of a new chapter for the community.
The Rise of the TAC Titans
As the facility grew, so did its role in the swimming world. In 2012, after years of hosting multiple independent swim teams, TAC created a unified, professionally managed year-round USA Swimming team — the TAC TITANS.
The move consolidated talent, coaching, and community support under one banner, and the results were immediate. The TITANS quickly became one of the largest and most competitive swim teams in the country, helping the Triangle earn recognition as the third-best swimming community in America.
Today, TAC and the TITANS remain at the top of the Triangle, leading the way with multiple state, regional, and national championships. TAC hosts more than 80 swim meet events and welcomes over 600,000 visitors annually — a testament to what vision, community, and commitment can achieve.
