AIT-Omaha Provides Smooth Sailing After Team Trials Conclude
Published on: Jun 24, 2016
USA Swimming’s Team Trials came to a successful conclusion on Sunday, July 3 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The monumental event was organized by the Omaha Sports Commission which hosted the 1,800 elite swimmers competing for a spot on the U.S. squad. The Commission relied upon the experts at AIT Worldwide Logistics’ Omaha office as their primary logistics partners for the event.When the last fan left the building, AIT-Omaha team members sprang into action and worked overnight to support the load-out effort from the CenturyLink Convention Center. By Monday morning – less than 24 hours after the final race had been won – the facility was almost completely vacated of the equipment and materials from the Aqua Zone fan experience.
The terrain forklift returns to move out the Aqua Zone's FlowRider.
Packed crates await to be loaded along with banners and carpeting from the Aqua Zone attraction.
Competition Pool Glides Northward
An even larger task came later in the week with the draining, dismantling and loading out of the competition pool from the CenturyLink Center Arena. Just six days after the conclusion of the Team Trials, components for the competition pool were loaded into 40-foot ocean containers acquired by AIT-Omaha. Five trailers were also procured from AIT’s full truckload division: four flatbeds to haul the containers and a standard trailer for the pool’s mechanical equipment.
Two days later, the 5,000 mile journey that began in Genoa, Italy came to an end when AIT-Omaha delivered the cutting-edge Myrtha pool to West Fargo, North Dakota. There, it will be installed in its permanent home at a new state-of-the-art facility operated by the West Fargo School District – the Hulbert Aquatic Center.
Two days later, the 5,000 mile journey that began in Genoa, Italy came to an end when AIT-Omaha delivered the cutting-edge Myrtha pool to West Fargo, North Dakota. There, it will be installed in its permanent home at a new state-of-the-art facility operated by the West Fargo School District – the Hulbert Aquatic Center.
Mechanical equipment including filters, pumps and heaters ready to make the journey to West Fargo, North Dakota.
AIT-Omaha Facility Serves as Holding Tank
Meanwhile, the Myrtha pool that was used in the warm-up area for the Team Trials will be bound for a destination on the West coast. The 50 year old pool at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School will be replaced by the Team Trials’ warm-up pool and opened as an in-ground facility to a broad segment of the community.
However, with ground-breaking still several months away, the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation is not ready to accept delivery of the pool components which include supplemental equipment such as heaters, lifeguard chairs, lane ropes and decking materials. With the pool dismantled and loaded into ocean containers, the team at AIT-Omaha is utilizing their 250,000 square feet of warehouse space to store the pool until the site at the final destination is prepared.
However, with ground-breaking still several months away, the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation is not ready to accept delivery of the pool components which include supplemental equipment such as heaters, lifeguard chairs, lane ropes and decking materials. With the pool dismantled and loaded into ocean containers, the team at AIT-Omaha is utilizing their 250,000 square feet of warehouse space to store the pool until the site at the final destination is prepared.
Pool accessories in storage awaiting shipment to Santa Ynez, California.
Navigating a Course for the Future
While the two pools that were used for the Team Trials are bound for new permanent homes, much of the material that was used to temporarily support the assemblies at CenturyLink Center will actually remain in Omaha.
Again, AIT-Omaha’s 17-acre facility will be relied upon for storage. Materials include tens of thousands of feet of plywood that served as a base under the pools. Retaining steel used to frame the two pools has received a painted-on protective coating and will also be warehoused. The materials will be held for the next four years with the hope that the Omaha Sports Commission’s bid to bring back the Team Trials in 2020 will be successful.
Again, AIT-Omaha’s 17-acre facility will be relied upon for storage. Materials include tens of thousands of feet of plywood that served as a base under the pools. Retaining steel used to frame the two pools has received a painted-on protective coating and will also be warehoused. The materials will be held for the next four years with the hope that the Omaha Sports Commission’s bid to bring back the Team Trials in 2020 will be successful.
Plywood used to support the pools heading back for long-term storage at AIT-Omaha's facility.
Retaining steel stored in AIT-Omaha's warehouse.
AIT-Omaha Stands Tall On the Podium
After serving important functions for USA Swimming, the two Myrtha pools will go on to become valuable community resources once they are installed and rooted in their permanent homes. Likewise, the roots and community ties run strong for Branch Managers Terry and Lori McMullen who recently celebrated AIT-Omaha’s 25th year in business.
For two and a half decades, AIT-Omaha's trusted team of professionals have served the city and its surrounding region by strengthening global supply chains for countless organizations from Berkshire Hathaway to the Omaha Sports Commission. Terry, Lori and their team have also made a significant impact by participating in multiple community charity efforts including support for Heartland Workforce Solutions and Metropolitan Community College. Most notably, the Omaha office spearheads the AIT Worldwide Logistics Books Program. Thanks to their efforts in partnership with other local businesses and non-profits, tens of thousands of books have been distributed to a variety of organizations serving the community.
AIT Worldwide Logistics congratulates Terry and Lori McMullen along with the entire AIT-Omaha team as they celebrate the silver anniversary of their business!
For two and a half decades, AIT-Omaha's trusted team of professionals have served the city and its surrounding region by strengthening global supply chains for countless organizations from Berkshire Hathaway to the Omaha Sports Commission. Terry, Lori and their team have also made a significant impact by participating in multiple community charity efforts including support for Heartland Workforce Solutions and Metropolitan Community College. Most notably, the Omaha office spearheads the AIT Worldwide Logistics Books Program. Thanks to their efforts in partnership with other local businesses and non-profits, tens of thousands of books have been distributed to a variety of organizations serving the community.
AIT Worldwide Logistics congratulates Terry and Lori McMullen along with the entire AIT-Omaha team as they celebrate the silver anniversary of their business!
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