RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The NOVA-Regency Aquatics Center celebrated the grand opening of its second-floor expansion, completing a six-year project that transforms a former department store into a national-level swimming facility.

The 29,000-square-foot expansion adds 1,000 spectator seats upstairs, doubling the viewing capacity at the facility located in what was once a Macy’s department store at Regency Square Mall.

“The energy that this place had before the second floor was finished was great, but now it just amps it up another level having thousands of people up here on the second floor cheering on their kids, which is what it’s all about,” said Drew Hirth, director of operations for NOVA of Virginia Aquatics.

It was Hirth who had the vision to bring NOVA to Regency, which has helped

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