Aquatics Center No. 1

The Ventura College Aquatics Center has been ranked the best among all colleges and universities in the nation by the United States Water Fitness Assn.

In the past, the association had considered only fitness classes when judging aquatics facilities. This year, however, the group expanded its guidelines and judged entire programs.

The categories under review included instruction, recreation, competition, water exercise, service and staff development.

“When the total programming was evaluated, we were ranked No. 1 for all college programs,” said Cheryl Holt, the college’s aquatics coordinator. “This is a major change in recognition for us at Ventura College.”

The college offers a wide range of aquatics classes including lap swimming, water safety, scuba diving, swimming for conditioning and for beginners.

In its 26 years, the center has served more than 50,000 students ages 16 to 95 and certified more than 7,000 students for scuba diving. More than 1,000 students have received Red Cross lifeguard certificates.

The association is a nonprofit organization that promotes aquatics throughout the world.

For more information about the center, call 648-8934.