Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Tracy.
Hi Diane, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Benzie Wellness & Aquatic Center (BWAC) envisions a vibrant, healthy and connected Benzie community where everyone can thrive. BWAC was incorporated as a non-profit in the state of Michigan in 2017. We began a two-phase feasibility study in 2019 to assess the viability and sustainability of constructing Benzie County’s first indoor community aquatic center – in a county that’s surrounded by water, the need for a comprehensive learn-to-swim program is a public safety concern, at a minimum! We discovered that the financial viability of such a project requires “dry side” features, services and programs to complement the aquatic elements, so adjusted the initial scope of the project into creating an integrated facility with a wide range of community, fitness and recreation options for all ages and abilities.
We canvassed community needs, identified programs to meet these needs, determined design parameters for the programs and selected a site that works for the design. We completed a demand analysis and created a 5-year financial pro forma to serve as the foundation for a business plan to be developed with our lead partners to right size the project to best meet community needs and resources.
Even before BWAC has constructed its facility, we have offered free swim skills and water safety programs for elementary-school age children for several summers in partnership with the City of Frankfort at Bellows Beach on Crystal Lake.
With our Design/Build partners Spence Brothers Construction and Environment Architects, we completed our due diligence assessing the vacated and obsolete Crystal Lake Elementary School parcel as our site and acquired it in February 2025, with support from many individuals and the philanthropic community. This site is at a gateway location (at the only stop light in Benzie County) and features easy access and walkability to several other community assets – the Bestie Valley Trail, Mills Community House, Academy Park, Benzie Area Historical Museum, the Village of Beulah and Benzonia’s commercial district.
BWAC is now launching the Design Phase of our project. The goal of this phase is to expand and refine BWAC’s conceptual renderings and design for the site and facility. The engineering work will be a precursor for the development of bid documents needed to develop a design package for construction. BWAC places a high value on an inclusive design process, and looks to actively engage stakeholders and the wider community in this phase. Munson Healthcare has endorsed BWAC and intends to continue to support the BWAC leadership team to broaden a plan for coordinating to better the health of the Benzie community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been unexpected bumps in the road, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and more recent uncertainty regarding prospective federal and state funding opportunities and the companion ripple effect impacting other funders, so we have learned to pause and/or pivot when need be to adapt.
We’ve been impressed with Benzie Wellness & Aquatic Center, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
BWAC will be a hub for our community – more than just a pool, it will be a place of possibilities for people looking for ways to connect. Some of its unique offerings that will fill gaps in Benzie County include an indoor walking track, child watch, indoor aquatics designed for community use, and a full-size gym for community use.
The BWAC intends to offer 3 levels of access – memberships, “pay to play” options and at least one free feature (most likely the indoor walking track) to residents and visitors alike. We plan to include opportunities for financial support to help cover membership fees for families of limited financial means, which will be funded by annual giving and endowed funds. We also plan to include endowment support for long-term maintenance of the facility, so we know it will serve generations to come.
Did you know …
o Many school-age children in Benzie County can’t swim 25 yards to save their own life or the life of a friend. There are no purpose-built indoor community pools or comprehensive learn-to-swim programs in the county.
o The best guarantee of a long and healthy life is connecting with other people. The US Surgeon General has identified social isolation as a greater health risk than cigarette smoking. BWAC will be a place where people can connect.
o Benzie County’s master recreation plan calls for facilities that accommodate varying abilities and interests at different stages of life but there are few indoor facilities or programs. BWAC will be a year-round facility suited for people of all ages and abilities that isn’t weather-dependent and removes barriers for those with mobility concerns.
o As Benzie County looks to attract year-round residents, a variety of year-round recreation amenities for all ages and abilities can enhance our region’s economic competitiveness. Benzie County’s economic engine is primarily fueled by recreation, tourism, and agriculture – all seasonal in nature. Our project will ensure year-round opportunities for wellness, recreation, and social integration and bring new life to a community asset that might otherwise become blight.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am moderately cautious about risk taking. Supporting the early stages of our project, especially prior to site acquisition, has required sticking your neck out. But the alternative of not building BWAC seems riskier for our community than continuing without the integrated facility we intend to build, along with its companion programming. Without support from a wide array of people and organizations who believe in the positive impact BWAC can have on so many people in our community, there would not have be much progress at all. We’re grateful for those who dive in with us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://benziewellnessandaquaticcenter.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benziewac
- Facebook: Benzie Welness & Aquatic Center
