Aquatics Center

[McPeachy]

A new pool / diving platform is surely needed, Corbett is almost completely useless. BUT, I read a quick article from 1/8/25 (linked below) that UW is spending over $120 million on it...is that accurate? That seems like a huge waste of money in this day and age...with limited, if any, ROI, and several major sports that bring revenue struggling (looking at you football and men's basketball).

New State-of-the-Art Aquatics Center Under Construction at University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming has begun construction on a new $120 million aquatics center, set to be completed by summer 2026. The state-of-the-art facility will include a 50-meter pool, diving platforms, and support for both competitive and recreational programs.

www.constructionowners.com

 

[OrediggerPoke]

The $120 million is the state appropriation for both the aquatics center and War Memorial upgrades. I believe the aquatics center is $65 million with roughly $50 million coming from the State (my numbers could be off). That said - I agree that the entire project is likely a waste of money in the new era of college athletics where swimming and diving is probably first on the chopping block. Perhaps the aquatics center can become a University asset open to the students and public in the future and that is a much better use IMO.

 

[rocket city poke]

A new pool / diving platform is surely needed, Corbett is almost completely useless. BUT, I read a quick article from 1/8/25 (linked below) that UW is spending over $120 million on it...is that accurate? That seems like a huge waste of money in this day and age...with limited, if any, ROI, and several major sports that bring revenue struggling (looking at you football and men's basketball).

New State-of-the-Art Aquatics Center Under Construction at University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming has begun construction on a new $120 million aquatics center, set to be completed by summer 2026. The state-of-the-art facility will include a 50-meter pool, diving platforms, and support for both competitive and recreational programs.

www.constructionowners.com

It's a total waste of money, particularly when you factor in the fact that the "high school" pool they were being forced to use is the brand new Laramie acquatic center that is the best pool in the state already. Especially, when you realize how tenuous a swimming program is at UW.
Why UW couldn't just partner with the city and throw some money into that pool (maybe add another olympic pool to it) and save the taxpayers like $40 million only shows how far removed from any sort of fiscal responsibility UW is. Here is a link to the City of Laramie pool: https://www.cityoflaramie.org/859/Take-a-Tour

 

[McPeachy]

It's a total waste of money, particularly when you factor in the fact that the "high school" pool they were being forced to use is the brand new Laramie acquatic center that is the best pool in the state already. Especially, when you realize how tenuous a swimming program is at UW.
Why UW couldn't just partner with the city and throw some money into that pool (maybe add another olympic pool to it) and save the taxpayers like $40 million only shows how far removed from any sort of fiscal responsibility UW is. Here is a link to the City of Laramie pool: https://www.cityoflaramie.org/859/Take-a-Tour

I couldn't agree with you more. UW and Albany County School District / State of Wyoming (and the City of Laramie) should have partnered for an aquatic center when the high school was being built. They have plenty of land, and could have made it very special. As you said, typical fiscal responsibility of UW.