The Christiansburg Aquatic Center's anticipated opening has been pushed back, Terry Caldwell, the new director of aquatics, said Thursday.

Originally slated for a Jan. 1 opening, the projected completion time frame is now spring.

Christiansburg Town Manager Lance Terpenny has said he was optimistic about a Jan. 1 completion date but would not be surprised if the center opened later than anticipated.

Assistant Town Manager Barry Helms said that he had always expected the center to open in April or May and attributes some of the delay to the planning phase.

"Part of it was the negotiations with Tech" to ensure the facility could accommodate Atlantic Coast Conference swim meets, Helms said.

Clay McCoy, the town's director of human resources, said rather than outsource the design and construction work on the aquatics center, the town opted to use local contractors, which may have also had a hand in causing the delay.

"We have been doing a lot of the design and construction work ourselves through our public works department," McCoy said.

Once open, the three-pool facility will serve the aquatic needs of both the community and competitive athletes by offering open swimming and children's birthday parties, in addition to hosting Virginia Tech and swim meets.

-- Lerone Graham