Construction has officially begun on the University of Wyoming's $65 million Aquatics Center, with a projected completion in 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will feature a 50-meter pool, a separate dive well, locker rooms, and facilities to enhance campus recreation. Currently, the university’s competitive swim program, under head coach Dave Denniston, holds meets at Laramie High School due to limitations with the existing pool in the aging John Corbett Building.

“This pool didn’t just happen. It has been discussed by administrators, previous coaches, students, athletes, state legislators and senators for over two decades,” Denniston said.

He added, “Our athletics director, Tom Burman, made sure this project was going to be completed on his watch. His tenacity and unwillingness to throw in the towel the multiple times that it looked like it would never happen has to be commended. I've enjoyed working with Mr. Burman on this project to see it come to life, and I believe the end result will be a crown jewel for this athletic department.”

The design and construction of the Aquatics Center involve The Arete Design Group of Sheridan, Wyo., and GE Johnson Construction Co. from Jackson, Wyo. The center will boast a 50-meter pool with 10 lanes, along with a separate dive well containing 3-meter and 5-meter platforms and 1-meter and 3-meter springboards. New locker rooms will be provided for both men's and women's teams, along with the ability to swim the 25-yard width of the pool with 20 lanes.

Located at the southeast corner of North 22nd Street and East Willett Drive, the center will not only serve the swim program but also support the university’s campus recreation initiatives.

The new facility will further bolster the program’s competitiveness and its ability to recruit top talent. "This 50-meter facility will be the second one in the state of Wyoming, and I know the varsity swimmers are looking forward to training in that space and sharing the love of the sport with the people of Wyoming through camps and competitions," Denniston said. “The new pool will be far superior to the pool in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center and will allow us to push the upper echelon of what is possible in our sport both on a national collegiate level as well as internationally.”

Funding for the project includes $15 million from university-related state major maintenance funds, $30 million from the state general fund, $19.8 million from university construction reserve accounts, and $500,000 from donations, according to cowboystatedaily.com.