NAU’s Aquatic and Tennis Complex will open its doors to campus and the Flagstaff community next week.
The state-of-the-art facility will accommodate NCAA swimming and diving and tennis programs as well as recreational activities and programming. The facility includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, diving platforms, dryland training areas, spa, six indoor tennis courts and viewing areas for spectators.
“The grand opening of the Aquatic and Tennis Complex brings real excitement and pride to the NAU athletics department, the university and the Flagstaff community,” said Lisa Campos, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics. “This facility will enhance our NCAA Division I swimming and diving and tennis student-athletes’ experience as they compete at the highest level. These teams will greatly benefit from this spectacular facility.”
Campus Recreation has planned several events to commemorate the opening.
NAU students, faculty and staff are invited to a Hawaiian-themed pool party from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. This event will involve stand up paddle boarding, open kayaking, log rolling, battleship and cannon ball contests, inflatable volleyball, music and much more.
When the facility officially opens to the public, members of the community are invited to tour, lap swim and free play and discover scuba diving from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. Admission is free.
“We are looking forward to the creative opportunities this facility will offer to diversify recreational programming for our campus community,” said Rhonda Powers, director of Campus Recreation. This facility allows the department to increase hours, programs and expand support to sport club teams, said Powers.
Lumberjack athletes are set to compete in the new facility later this month as the men’s tennis team challenges Western New Mexico University at 1 p.m. Feb. 21. The women’s tennis team will host its first conference game against Montana State at 10 a.m. March 5.
NAU Swimming and Diving is scheduled to host the NCAA Zone Diving Regional March 7-9. Full competition schedules can be viewed online.
The existing Wall Aquatic Center is scheduled to close its doors Feb. 20, and construction of an outdoor tennis facility and field complex is scheduled to begin Feb. 22. The anticipated completion date for this project is September 2016.
To learn more about the grand opening celebrations, recreation programs, memberships and facility hours, visit nau.edu/recreation or contact (928) 523-4509.