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A reader in Garland asked Curious Texas, a project from The Dallas Morning News that allows you to join in on the reporting process, about the status of the new Garland ISD natatorium.
Faith Lee said she is a senior citizen looking to get back into swimming as a hobby.
“Although I have not swam for a long time, I would really like to start again … and do it year-round. Swimming is an excellent exercise, especially for those of us old folks,” she wrote in an email. “I don’t live far from the natatorium so I have been watching. Hopefully we’ll get to enjoy it, too.”
The conversation about building a natatorium was a pain point for the Garland school community, and families who had fought for the project for years were frustrated in 2016 when district’s board of trustees pushed back construction until February 2019. Voters had approved the funds in a 2014 bond election, and the delay meant that many students would graduate before using the facility.
Amie Goins spoke to The News in 2016 about having to put her two high school swimmers on 5:45 a.m. buses to Richardson for practice at an indoor pool. She said she had worked since 2013 to bring a natatorium to Garland.
“My youngest graduates in 2020,” she said then. “He will not get to swim in that facility.”
Trustees who voted for the delay wanted the district’s priority to be campus improvement bond projects, specifically safety additions such as secured entrances and exterior camera equipment.
Construction on the $30.1 million facility, located at 2585 Firewheel Parkway, was completed in November. It’s been open to high school students for months, Garland ISD aquatics manager Philip Wiggins said.
The natatorium has a heated, five-lane, 25-yard instructional pool, a 68-meter competition pool, a diving area, 1,200 seats for spectators and a concession stand, according to the Garland ISD Natatorium website.
Open swim hours for the public are expected to begin June 7, with punch cards for 15 visits (buy 10, get five free) available for purchase at the natatorium Monday-Friday during business hours starting June 1.
The cards cost $45 for the general public and $30 for senior citizens and Garland ISD students and staff.
Open swim dates and hours
- June 7 through July 20, closed July 5
- Monday through Thursday: 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pool rules, according to the website
- Everyone will wear a mask inside the building unless in the water.
- Children under 10 must have an adult in the water with them at all times.
- Children ages 11 to 15 must have an adult on the pool deck with them at all times.
- No one under 16 may be dropped off and picked up at a later time. Minors must be supervised.
- On-deck coaching is prohibited during community swim hours.
- The public may not use the showers, locker rooms or weight rooms.