San Domenico Aquatics
Phase I of the Sister Gervaise Valpey Community Center and Aquatic Complex is now complete, with construction finalized on our state-of-the art competition size pool and locker room facility. This is a major facility enhancement for San Domenico Athletics and K-12 Physical Education Program.
The Sister Gervaise Aquatics Complex was opened on February 7, 2022, the first day of Spring sports. Our entire K-12 student body enjoyed a special student assembly, and Athletics and physical fitness classes are now in full swing in our beautiful new competition-sized pool.
Phase II of the project will be the completion of a new 2,000 square foot Community Center, providing flexible teaching, meeting, and community gathering space on the west side of campus.
For more information about how you can become involved, please contact Anna Heidinger, Director of Advancement at aheidinger@sandomenico.org.
Aquatic Complex Facts
- Competition size pool
- 30 meters long
- 25 yards wide
- 12 swimming lanes
- Showers, pool deck, and bleachers
- 4,300 sf community gathering and event space
Meet SD's Director of Aquatics, Mark Anderson
An All-American water polo player, Mark Anderson has been coaching both swimming and water polo in Marin County for over 30 years.
- 25-time Marin Swim League Champions Sleepy Hollow Swim Team Head Coach
- Co-Head Coach and founder of Sleepy Hollow Aquatics (SHAQ) Water Polo
- 7 MCAL Championships for Archie Williams High School Water Polo team, under his coaching
- 36 of Mark’s athletes went on to play for Division I colleges and universities in 2017 and 2018
- 2014 Year Mark was inducted into the Marin County Athletic League Hall of Fame
Coach Anderson and his wife, Coach Julie Anderson, both grew up in Marin and are local residents of Sleepy Hollow.
Named in Honor of Sister Gervaise
The Community Center and Aquatic Complex has been named in honor of Sister Gervaise Valpey, President Emerita.
Sister Gervaise is a beloved and influential member of the San Domenico community who was instrumental in moving the 171-year old school to its current location in San Anselmo.
An inspiration, mentor, and spiritual presence for many in our global San Domenico family, Sister Gervaise continues to be an integral part of SD's program.
Watch a timelapse video of the pool construction.
The new competition pool was designed by Aquatic Design Group, one of the top aquatics architectural firms in California who designed competition pools for UC Berkeley and Stanford University.
![Emma Keith-Brown '22 diving into the new pool]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1644621922/sandomenico/xxdr3avzu6zswtzwudzn/Pool-20220207-DSC_8721.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1644621922/sandomenico/xxdr3avzu6zswtzwudzn/Pool-20220207-DSC_8721.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1644621922/sandomenico/xxdr3avzu6zswtzwudzn/Pool-20220207-DSC_8721.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1644621922/sandomenico/xxdr3avzu6zswtzwudzn/Pool-20220207-DSC_8721.jpg","width":810}])
All-school assembly celebrates standout swimmer Emma Keith-Brown, headed to D1 UCSD.
![Aquatics & Community Center Update]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1619736765/sandomenico/kq3czw88saurf017f2jw/aquatics_update.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1619736765/sandomenico/kq3czw88saurf017f2jw/aquatics_update.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1619736765/sandomenico/kq3czw88saurf017f2jw/aquatics_update.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1619736765/sandomenico/kq3czw88saurf017f2jw/aquatics_update.jpg","width":810}])
We have concrete! Much to the joy of students who appreciate big trucks, the concrete for the new pool was poured.
![Aquatics and Community Center Groundbreaking]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1619625014/sandomenico/xcld0itbwsezksibkfi3/groundbreaking1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1619625014/sandomenico/xcld0itbwsezksibkfi3/groundbreaking1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1619625014/sandomenico/xcld0itbwsezksibkfi3/groundbreaking1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1619625014/sandomenico/xcld0itbwsezksibkfi3/groundbreaking1.jpg","width":810}])
In the midst of these challenging times, we are excited to share good news. Earlier this week, San Domenico was approved to begin construction on our new Sister Gervaise Valpey Community Center and Aquatic Complex!
WATER POLO COMING TO SAN DOMENICO!
San Domenico is in an exciting transitional period for our aquatics programs. We are in the process of building a new and much needed state of the art aquatics center to accommodate regulation size water polo and swim programs. Our vision is to provide seasonal swimming and water polo programs and camps for our student body and to have a competitive JV and Varsity High School Swim Team and Water Polo Team. We are excited to have Aquatics Director Mark Anderson leading this vision, taking our school to new heights in opportunities and competition.
Mark is Head Coach of the 25-time Marin Swim League Champions, Sleepy Hollow Swim Team. His company, Maaquatics Inc. provides seasonal swim lessons and swim team programs for kids ages 5 to 18 in our community. He is also co-founder of SHAQ Water Polo Club offering competitive age group programs for kids ages 8 to 18 in our community. Mark has coached the Boys Archie Williams High School Varsity Water Polo Team to seven MCAL Championships. In 2017 and 2018, 36 of Mark’s athletes went on to play for Division I Colleges and Universities. Mark was inducted into the Marin County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014 and brings with him not only a history of success in building programs, but also a strong commitment to building community.
“The San Domenico campus is in my backyard and I already coach so many SD kids. It’s like an extended family. To have the chance to train total athletes, K-12, to work on mind-body, health and wellness, using aquatic strength and conditioning, it’s very exciting to be a part of building this program and to help shepherd in this new era of aquatics at San Domenico.”- Coach Mark Anderson
Together with his wife Julie—also a coach—as well as Coach Matt Swanson, Mark runs our High School JV and Varsity BCL Swim Teams and works with students K-12 on physical education and seasonal, water-based conditioning and training for our athletic teams across the board. Mark, Julie, and Matt are excited to share their passion for swimming and water polo with the San Domenico community.
For information on after school swim programs in our community, please visit www.maaquatics.com
For information on after school club water polo in our community please visit www.sleepyhollowaquatics.com
"This facility will usher in a new era of aquatics for San Domenico. To have a state-of-the-art pool to train students K-12, for strength and conditioning across all sports, and from development to competitive, college-bound JV and Varsity players, is really a game changer for the School and our athletic program.
- Mark Anderson, Director of Aquatics