The University of Wyoming (UW) has embarked on an ambitious project to build a state-of-the-art aquatics center, with construction currently underway and completion slated for the summer of 2026, Swim Swam reports.
The facility is set to transform training and competition for UW’s swim and dive teams while also serving the broader university community.
Construction on the new aquatics center began on November 5, 2024, following years of planning and fundraising. The $140 million project includes $20 million raised through donations and a $120 million contribution from the state of Wyoming, which also funds renovations to War Memorial Stadium. The project has been a top priority for UW Athletics, with supporters rallying for decades to make the facility a reality.
“This pool didn’t just happen,” said Dave Denniston, UW’s head swimming and diving coach. “It has been discussed by administrators, previous coaches, students, athletes, state legislators, and senators for over two decades. Our athletics director, Tom Burman, deserves special recognition for his persistence in seeing this project through.”
The aquatics center will feature a 10-lane, 50-meter pool, which can be converted into a 20-lane, 25-yard pool by swimming the width. This design will make it only the second 50-meter pool in Wyoming, positioning the university as a hub for competitive swimming. The facility will also include 3-meter and 5-meter diving platforms, 1-meter and 3-meter springboards, modern locker rooms, and spectator seating.
The center’s versatility will cater not only to varsity athletes but also to the university’s campus recreation programs. It will be located at the southeast corner of UW’s campus.
Currently, the UW swim and dive teams train in the John Corbett Building’s L-shaped 25-meter by 25-yard pool and host home meets at Laramie High School due to limited deck space. The new aquatics center will provide an upgraded environment for training and hosting competitions, a development Denniston believes will elevate the program.
“This facility will allow Wyoming swimmers to thrive for years to come,” said Denniston. “The new pool will be far superior to the one at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. It will enable us to push the boundaries of what’s possible at both the national collegiate level and internationally.”
The Cowboys and Cowgirls are poised to benefit greatly from the new facility. During the 2023–24 season, the women’s swim team placed sixth in the Mountain West Conference Championships, while the men’s team secured fourth in the Western Athletic Conference Championships. Both teams have shown promise this season, with the Cowgirls boasting a 5-0 record in dual meets and the Cowboys standing at 2-1.
Denniston envisions the new center as a catalyst for future success, fostering a stronger connection between the university’s athletes and the state of Wyoming.
“The new pool will enable us to share our love for the sport through camps and competitions,” he said. “Its breathtaking architecture will make it a point of pride for the university and the entire state.”
