Thanks to a robust partnership between Stanislaus State and the City of Turlock, members of the campus and greater community are welcome to make a splash at the university’s recently-refurbished Aquatic Facility — marking the first time a Stanislaus State pool has been opened for community use.
“The new facility creates the opportunity for us to offer training in scuba, kayak and other water activities, plus we’ll be able to host water polo tournaments and swim meets as well as swim classes,” said Dan Houlden, director of campus recreation, who is overseeing the open-use hours for the Aquatic Facility. “In the future, we plan on having additional programming.”
With 12 swim lanes that are 25 yards in length, the pool will be 3.5 feet deep in the shallow end and 14 feet deep in the diving area. The pool will also include a shallow fitness and rehabilitation area. The temperature of the pool will range from 81 to 84 degrees and vary seasonally due to air temperature. The pool is ADA accessible with a ramp for those with disabilities and a zero-point entry ramp that is accessible to wheelchairs, and there are two ADA compliant changing rooms with showers.
While the Aquatic Facility will mainly be used for classroom activities, there will be three open swim periods offered on weekdays through June 30 to students, faculty, staff and community members over the age of 18 who purchase an access pass. Summer hours have yet to be determined.
Mayor Gary Soiseth applauded Stanislaus State President Ellen Junn and Councilmember Amy Bublak for their work opening this pool up not only to the campus, but to the greater community. Both the City of Turlock and Stanislaus State belong to the International Town and Gown Association, which aims to strengthen town and gown partnerships by providing a network of professionals and resources, identifying and sharing promising practices, innovative solutions and professional development opportunities for municipal and university communities.
“This is yet another example of the strong partnership between the campus and the city under the leadership of President Ellen Junn,” said Soiseth. “Councilmember Bublak was the driving force from City Hall to work with Stanislaus State on the opening of the pool to the general public, and her persistence paid off. Because our public pools get used extensively in the summer months, this will be an important addition to the Turlock High, Pitman High and Columbia Park pools.”
Current students, faculty, staff and community members over the age of 18 can purchase an aquatics pass through the Campus Recreation Business Office located at the Student Fitness Center through an online portal. Students, faculty and staff passes cost $5 for a single session, $20 for a weekly pass, and $40 for a monthly pass. Community members can purchase a weekly pass for $25 and a monthly pass for $60. All users, including students, faculty and staff, need to register and purchase a pool pass.
Located on the east end of the Fitzpatrick Arena, the pool will be opened Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. for a morning session, noon to 1 p.m. for a noon session, and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an afternoon session. Certified lifeguards will be on duty anytime the pool is in use. The pool will be closed on campus holidays and weekends.
For more information, visit csustan.edu/aquatics.
