Vermont Achievement Center Fills In Mitchell Therapy Pool

The Mitchell Therapy Pool at the Vermont Achievement Center (VAC) in Rutland has been filled in and will remain closed for the foreseeable future following irreparable damage to the facility.

Matthew Gibbs, the VAC Director of Facilities, stated that the pool sustained significant damage in October due to a leak in the water system. Following the incident, the interior of the pool was excavated to allow for an inspection of the building’s foundation. The area has since been filled in to prevent the open cavity from posing a safety risk to people.

Gibbs noted that he could not provide further specifics regarding the nature of the damages because of ongoing involvement with an insurance company.

Financial and Operational Challenges

The permanent closure follows an initial announcement in July 2025 that the pool would close. At that time, the organization cited that the facility had historically operated at a deficit. Gibbs described the deficit as significant, though he declined to provide a specific monetary figure.

The cost of replacing the facility is expected to be high. Gibbs estimated that installing a new pool of the same size would cost the organization several million dollars.

Impact on the Community

Built in 1975 as an addition to the Vermont Achievement Center, the Mitchell Therapy Pool was named after Robert W. Mitchell, a longtime publisher of the Rutland Herald and a patron of the center.

The facility served as the only therapy pool in central Vermont and was specifically designed for individuals with disabilities. It featured specialized ramps and warm, heated waters to provide therapeutic swimming for children and adults with special needs.

Beyond its primary therapeutic mission, the indoor pool was open to the general public for a fee. It hosted a variety of programs, including:

• Recreational swim lessons and instructional classes for all levels
• Birthday parties
• Winter programming conducted by the Rutland Recreation and Parks Department
• General therapeutic activities for the community

The loss of the facility removes a specialized resource for the region, as the pool provided a unique environment for those requiring accessible water therapy and specialized equipment not available in standard swimming pools.