University of Houston Athletics
Construction of New Swimming and Diving Facility Nearing End
7/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
July 25, 2002
HOUSTON, Texas - It won't be much longer before the University of Houston swimming and diving program has a new home.
Although the team will not begin competing in the new Campus Recreation and Wellness Center until the fall of 2003, the $53 million facility is scheduled to be completed earlier in the year. Until then, the team will compete during the 2002-03 season at the UH Natatorium.
When completed, the new facility, which is located at the corner of Calhoun and University, will cover more than 246,000 square feet with the swimming pool being only a small part of the building. At 70 meters by 25 yards, the new pool is expected to be the longest in the state of Texas. It will hold more than 1.5 million gallons of water, shallowing out to four feet and increasing to 17 feet at the deepest end.
Three bulkheads will allow the pool to be shaped into different configurations as needed.
Cougar divers will also be well taken care of in the new facility. The new natatorium features a divers' whirlpool in which competitors can stay warm between dives during meets. In addition to 2 one-meter springboards and 2 three-meter boards, the new facility features five platform diving boards at one, three, five, 7.5 and 10 meter heights.
Fans will be able to keep track of the action on a new scoreboard in the center, while UH swimming and diving coaches will have plenty of room for storage in a meet office. The swimmers and divers, themselves, will be able to relax and prepare in a locker room with ample room.
However, the pool is just a small part of the facility. In addition, the center features 24,000-square-feet of weight equipment, four indoor jogging tracks, a 53-foot indoor climbing wall and six multi-purpose aerobic rooms.
The new facility will be open to all UH students, faculty and staff.
