Ryan Hawkins, a Virginia Tech freshman, jumps off the highest diving board Sunday in a demonstration during the opening of Christiansburg's new aquatic center.

Emon Nolen, 5, of Christiansburg lets water in the leisure pool spray him in the face. The facility also includes a 50-meter competition pool, a warm water therapy pool, diving boards and a two-story, triple-loop water slide.

Photos by JEANNA DUERSCHERL The Roanoke Times

Visitors to Christiansburg's aquatic center enjoy the lagoon leisure pool on opening day. The new facility is at 595 N. Franklin St.

CHRISTIANSBURG -- For the Christiansburg residents who have been waiting a year and a half since the first predicted opening date for the new aquatic center, a little time in line didn't seem to matter Sunday.

Hundreds queued up outside more than an hour before the official grand opening at 2 p.m.

It marked their first chance to get a dip in the $18 million facility's leisure pool, tour the rest of the building, and see swimmers, divers and others demonstrate the competition pool.

As might be expected, Sunday's opening-day crowd gave little hint that the 64,000-square-foot center generated a whirlpool of criticism over its cost, repeated construction delays and a contract that gives Virginia Tech exclusive rights to practice and meet times in exchange for a $5 million investment with the town.

Over the past couple of years, much of that criticism was heaped on outgoing Town Manager Lance Terpenny, who was asked to resign earlier this month by the town council.

In one of his last official duties before starting a new job next month as Floyd town manager, Terpenny spoke at Sunday's dedication. He predicted the facility will be a success story for the town.

And with his departure, he said, "Let there be peace in Christiansburg."

Mayor Richard Ballengee touched on the criticisms in his remarks, as well. He defended the delays -- which were blamed on design changes, weather and difficulties getting some materials -- saying they resulted in a better facility.

The cost did not go up because of any of those, he said, insisting "there is something in this facility for everyone."

"If you don't get your money's worth out of this facility, it will be your own fault," Ballengee said.

The dedication was held at the competition pool where Tech's swimming and diving teams will practice, where college and other amateur meets will be held, and where as many as 1,300 can fit in bleachers above and beside the water.

Referring to a running gag in "The Beverly Hillbillies" TV show, Virginia Tech Associate Athletic Director Tom Gabbard said, "Folks, this is no cement pond."

He said there are probably no more than 10 similarly sophisticated competition pools in the Eastern United States. Already, one U.S. national team qualifying competition has been held in the Christiansburg pool, and several more events -- each drawing hundreds of swimmers -- already are scheduled.

Even as the dedication was being held, the warm-water therapy pool and the leisure pool, with its sprays and slide, were already in use by families who didn't want to wait for the ribbon-cutting.

After the ceremonies, the pools quickly filled up with squealing children and many of their parents.

Christiansburg residents Robin and Samantha Boyd watched their daughters Anna, 3, and Abby, 10, play in the shallow area.

Robin Boyd, who had seen the building's interior last winter, said he's been predicting for months "that everyone in town would love it once it was open."

Although he said he expects to continue a summer contract with an outdoor pool, he said he probably will get a six-month winter membership for the aquatic center. It will give his girls a place to practice swimming and just play in the water, he said.

Boyd sees the center not only as a recreational resource, but also as an economic driver that will bring in those competitive meets whose participants will book hotel rooms, eat meals and shop nearby.

"I knew it would be good for the entire [New River Valley] community, not just Christiansburg," he said.

Visit christiansburg.org for information on hours and fees.