History and Planning
The Oro Valley Aquatic Center’s origins trace back to long-term community planning efforts in the early 2000s. In 2001, the Town of Oro Valley adopted a master plan for a large public space known as Naranja Park, which envisioned major recreational amenities, including a future aquatics facility.
However, a public bond vote in 2008 that would have funded the first phase of the park, including a pool, failed to pass. This setback delayed the community’s dream of a new aquatic center for several years.
The vision was revived between 2010 and 2011, when town leaders shifted focus to the existing municipal pool at James D. Kriegh Park. With broad public support and growing urgency to upgrade aging infrastructure, the Town Council approved $5 million in capital improvements in 2012 to transform the outdated pool into a modern, competitive-grade aquatic center.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 20, 2012, and the facility soon closed for renovations. The project was funded through a combination of sources, including:
- $400,000 from Parks and Recreation impact fees
- $500,000 from accumulated bed tax revenues (local hotel taxes)
- Approximately $2.55 million from municipal bond proceeds
- A targeted $500,000 community fundraising campaign supported by private donations and sponsorships
Construction progressed quickly. The 50-meter competition pool was completed first and reopened in phases, followed by the rest of the facility. By mid-March 2013, the entire Aquatic Center was open to the public. The center debuted in time to host its first competitive swim meets that spring.
Town officials praised the project as a major civic achievement. The center addressed community needs that had been identified for over a decade and demonstrated what could be accomplished through coordinated leadership and local investment. The final project cost was estimated between $4.7 and $5 million and successfully converted a 40-year-old basic pool into a regional aquatics destination in less than one year of construction.
Key Contributors and Champions
In 2012, the Town Council voted unanimously to move ahead with the new facility. Hiremath publicly described the Aquatic Center as a key investment in Oro Valley’s future, while Snider provided hands-on guidance during planning and community engagement phases.
Ainsley Legner, Director of Parks, Recreation, Library, and Cultural Resources at the time, was instrumental in managing the project. Legner coordinated design plans, oversaw contractor work, and regularly reported to the Town Council. She announced the April 2012 groundbreaking and provided updates on significant features, including relocating the bathhouse, raising the pool deck, and adding a separate warm-up pool.
Design, Architecture and Construction Features
To bring the project to life, the Town of Oro Valley hired seasoned professionals to reimagine and transform the aging pool at James D. Kriegh Park into a state-of-the-art aquatic facility.
The local architectural firm Swaim Associates was selected to design the expanded center. Phil W. Swaim, AIA served as principal architect, with Kevin Barber as project manager. The team at Swaim devised a two-phase construction plan, which was ultimately executed as a single fast-track project. The first phase focused on updating the existing 50-meter pool to modern competitive standards, while the second added recreation features and new buildings.
In a cost-conscious and sustainable move, the architects chose to preserve and reuse key elements of the original facility. For example, structural steel from the former bathhouse was salvaged and incorporated into the design of a new pump house and storage building.
Several critical engineering improvements were integrated into the redesign. The original Olympic-size pool, built approximately 40 years earlier, was too shallow at one end for sanctioned meets. To solve this, the pool deck was raised by two feet, creating a uniform depth suitable for national-level competition. A modern gutter and water circulation system was installed to ensure water quality and handle higher usage volumes.
The facility was also equipped with cutting-edge competition technology. The updated 50-meter pool received a Colorado Timing System with touchpads and a ten-lane digital scoreboard. High-output lighting was added to illuminate the full course for night events, and diving facilities were enhanced with both 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards.
On the north side of the complex, a brand-new main building was constructed. This building houses administrative offices, a multipurpose classroom, a lifeguard and first-aid room, and a fully equipped concessions stand. Updated locker rooms and family changing areas replaced the original outdated showers, with all interior spaces receiving heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort.
Outside, the pool deck was significantly widened — up to 25 feet around the main pool — with trench drains added to improve surface drainage. The original spectator bleachers were refurbished and upgraded with modern shade canopies for guest comfort. One aging ramada was removed to make room for additional amenities and open space, and new landscaping and hardscaping elements were added throughout the site.
The design successfully blended community recreation with elite-level aquatic features. With a total water volume of one million gallons, the completed center now supports both local use and national competitions. Despite the scale of the transformation, the entire project was completed between April 2012 and March 2013, staying within a final budget of roughly $4.7 million.
The result was a world-class aquatic venue created by award-winning local architects, built to serve Oro Valley for decades to come.
Community Involvement and Support
Community engagement was a hallmark of the Aquatic Center’s development. From the beginning, Oro Valley officials prioritized transparency, public input, and inclusive planning. Town meetings, board sessions, and open presentations kept residents informed and involved at every stage of the project.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board played a central role in reviewing and shaping the center’s features. In April 2012, Parks Director Ainsley Legner presented plans to the board, highlighting community-supported additions like the warm-up pool and laying the groundwork for future fundraising and sponsorship opportunities.
During the construction phase, the Town of Oro Valley launched a “Friends of the Pool” campaign to directly involve residents in the facility’s enhancements. This fundraising effort resonated widely. Local individuals, families, and civic organizations contributed donations that helped fund second-phase features. At one public Town Council meeting, resident Lyra Done personally presented her donation, standing alongside a contribution from the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. These moments reflected strong grassroots and business community support for the project.
The Town publicly recognized these efforts. Donors received acknowledgment, and the Town Council made it clear that the Aquatic Center was a product of collective investment. The facility’s final features were shaped not just by municipal funding, but by the generosity and passion of the local community.
Public enthusiasm for the Aquatic Center was evident even before it opened. While the pool was closed for construction, neighboring jurisdictions provided temporary support. The Town coordinated with the Northwest YMCA, the Town of Marana pool, and even a local resort to ensure continued access to swim lanes for displaced residents and the Oro Valley Swim Team. This level of cooperation showed how much value the region placed on Oro Valley’s aquatics community.
As anticipation for the opening grew, the Town partnered with the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau to roll out a branding campaign. In fall 2012, a dedicated Aquatic Center logo was unveiled to promote awareness and reinforce the center’s identity as both a local asset and tourism destination. The branding helped maintain excitement and engagement leading up to the grand opening.
On March 15, 2013, hundreds of residents gathered for the Aquatic Center’s public grand opening celebration. The event featured tours of the new facility, interactive activities, and formal recognition of community members and organizations who played a role in the project’s success. Mayor Satish Hiremath and other officials spoke at the event, emphasizing that the project was a direct response to resident feedback and long-expressed needs.
Community involvement did not end with the ribbon cutting. A volunteer Aquatics Advisory Committee formed informally to provide feedback on programming and facility use. Parents involved with the Oro Valley Swim Team continue to partner with the town on event planning and facility improvements.
From early design input to financial contributions and operational feedback, the Oro Valley Aquatic Center is a shining example of what can be achieved when a town actively listens to its residents. It remains a point of local pride and ownership, shaped by and for the community it serves.
Facilities and Programming Overview
The Oro Valley Aquatic Center is a comprehensive water facility that balances high-level competition standards with fun, family-oriented features. Built to serve elite athletes and casual swimmers alike, the center provides a broad range of amenities, programming, and recreational options.
The centerpiece of the complex is a 50-meter Olympic-size competition pool with depths ranging from 6.7 to 15 feet. It can be configured for eight lanes in long-course format or up to 18 lanes for short-course swimming. This pool meets USA Swimming specifications and is suitable for swim meets, diving competitions, and water polo matches.
Adjacent to the main pool is a 25-yard, six-lane recreation pool used for warm-ups, beginner lessons, and leisure swimming. Its shallow entry section ranges from three to four feet deep, making it ideal for young children and swim instruction. The recreation pool includes a pool lift for improved accessibility.
To appeal to families, the facility features a shaded, zero-depth splash pad equipped with interactive spray toys and fountains for safe water play. A 130-foot spiral water slide, accessible via a 21-foot platform, adds to the excitement. The slide ends in a dedicated run-out lane, separate from the main pools. On the deep end of the competition pool, the Aquatic Center also offers two 1-meter diving boards and one 3-meter board for thrill-seekers and divers.
The pools are surrounded by a wide deck with ample shaded seating. Large canopy structures, some repurposed from earlier park features, offer sun protection for guests. Additional amenities include picnic tables and a reservable party ramada, making the site popular for birthdays and small gatherings.
Inside the main building, visitors find modern locker rooms, family changing areas, and a staffed lobby with a front desk for check-in and membership services. A concessions stand operates during weekends and special events, providing snacks and refreshments. The center also includes a multipurpose room used for lifeguard training, classes, parties, and meetings. Administrative offices are located onsite for the Aquatic Center’s operations and the Town’s aquatics staff. The entire facility offers free public Wi-Fi and a sound system used for announcements and background music during events.
Programming at the Aquatic Center runs year-round. Heated pools allow for daily lap swimming and recreational use, even in cooler months. The Town’s Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of swim lessons for children, including water safety basics, stroke technique, and advanced training. Group and private lessons are available in seasonal sessions.
The facility is the training ground for the Oro Valley Swim Team (OVST), a youth competitive club that uses both long-course and short-course setups throughout the year. The center also serves as the home pool for Canyon del Oro High School and other local schools, with fall swim practices and meets coordinated through the school district.
Adult programming includes lap swim hours, Masters swim workouts, aqua aerobics classes for seniors, and periodic scuba diving instruction. During the summer months, the Aquatic Center transforms into a lively community hub. Events include family fun nights, teen swim parties, and “Dive-In Movies,” where families can float in the pool while watching films like Finding Nemo or Moana on a large inflatable screen. The Town also hosts free swim days and seasonal community events like the “Splash N’ Dash” aquathlon and a summer kickoff party.
Private rentals are available for birthdays, corporate team-building events, and group outings. On any given day, the center might accommodate swim team training, toddler lessons, open lap swim, and family recreation all at once. This multi-use flexibility is a defining strength of the Aquatic Center, fulfilling its mission as both Southern Arizona’s premier competition pool and a welcoming public water park for the entire community.
Community Benefits and Impact
Beyond its physical design, the Oro Valley Aquatic Center delivers long-lasting value to the community across four key areas: health, economic growth, social connection, and youth development. From its inception, Town leaders positioned the center as a public asset that would support the well-being of residents and the vitality of the local economy.
Public Health and Wellness
The Aquatic Center provides Oro Valley residents with year-round access to exercise and active recreation, which is especially important in Arizona’s desert climate. The pools offer people of all ages a place to stay cool during hot summers while staying physically active. Swim lessons and water safety classes contribute to community safety by helping children learn to swim under professional supervision.
Low-impact water fitness options, such as lap swimming and aqua aerobics, are ideal for seniors and individuals recovering from injury. These programs have been supported by local healthcare providers and fitness groups, some of whom have partnered with the center to host swim instruction and wellness sessions. Though health outcomes may be anecdotal, the consistent use of the facility each morning by lap swimmers and each weekend by families reflects its success in promoting a healthier lifestyle for residents.
Economic Development and Tourism
Oro Valley’s investment in the Aquatic Center was also a strategic economic decision. From the start, town leadership envisioned it as a catalyst for sports tourism. As Mayor Satish Hiremath stated, the center put Oro Valley “on the map” for regional and national aquatic competitions. These events attract athletes and spectators who stay in local hotels, dine at local restaurants, and shop in town, directly supporting the area’s economy.
That vision was realized in April 2014, when the Aquatic Center hosted the U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships, bringing over 350 athletes from 41 teams nationwide for a week-long event. The center has since hosted high school championships, water polo tournaments, club swim meets, and invitational events. These gatherings generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in local economic impact through lodging, dining, and retail spending by visitors.
Beyond direct tourism, the Aquatic Center enhances the town’s appeal to new residents and businesses. Real estate agents frequently highlight the facility as a major quality-of-life amenity when showcasing homes. Its presence signals that Oro Valley prioritizes recreation and healthy living, which helps attract families, retirees, and active individuals. The center has also created jobs, both during construction and through ongoing operations, including positions for lifeguards, swim instructors, maintenance personnel, and administrative staff. While the center does require operational funding, its costs are partially offset by admission fees, program revenues, and sponsorships.
Social Engagement and Community Identity
The Aquatic Center functions as a vibrant social space where residents of all ages gather. On a summer afternoon, toddlers may be splashing in the shallow pool while teenagers ride the water slide, seniors exercise in lap lanes, and parents relax under shaded areas. Few other spaces in Oro Valley offer this kind of cross-generational engagement.
The Town supports this dynamic by hosting regular community events at the facility. Examples include Dive-In Movie nights, free admission days, and summer Family Fun Days. The Youth Advisory Council helps organize teen-oriented events, creating safe and enjoyable spaces for middle and high school students. The Aquatic Center also operates as an informal community center — swim team practices and competitions serve as social events where families, neighbors, and friends connect poolside. Town surveys consistently rank the Aquatic Center among Oro Valley’s most valued recreational assets, not just for its amenities but also for the sense of community it fosters.
Youth Development and Opportunity
The Aquatic Center has significantly expanded opportunities for local youth. The Oro Valley Swim Team (OVST) has grown in size and visibility, giving more children a chance to participate in competitive swimming without needing to commute to Tucson. The upgraded facility has improved training conditions for the Canyon del Oro High School swim program, helping student-athletes achieve stronger results in regional meets.
Youth development extends beyond sport. Each year, dozens of local teenagers are hired and trained as lifeguards, swim instructors, and concession stand workers. These roles often serve as a first job, building skills in leadership, responsibility, and customer service. The facility also encourages youth volunteerism — many teens volunteer at swim meets or events as timers, assistants, or support staff.
Hosting major competitions also exposes young swimmers to elite-level performance. Events like the national synchronized swimming championships inspire local youth to set higher goals in aquatics. With its ability to engage young people in sport, employment, and civic participation, the Aquatic Center plays a powerful role in shaping the next generation of Oro Valley residents.
In every respect — from public wellness and tourism to social bonding and youth opportunity — the Oro Valley Aquatic Center delivers far more than recreation. It stands as a model of how thoughtful civic infrastructure can enhance quality of life and bring a community together.
Recognition and Awards
Since its opening, the Oro Valley Aquatic Center has received substantial recognition at both the state and local levels. Most notably, the facility was awarded the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association’s “Outstanding Facility Award” in 2013 — the same year it opened. This prestigious honor is given to exceptional new or improved public recreation facilities across Arizona. Oro Valley’s selection was especially impressive, as the Aquatic Center had only been open for six months when it was named Outstanding Facility of the Year.
The award recognized the center’s high-quality design, the community collaboration that made it possible, and its immediate positive impact on the town. The facility was described as a “nationally attractive” venue, setting a new standard for municipal aquatics in towns of Oro Valley’s size.
The Aquatic Center has also consistently received praise from the public. It has earned the title of “Best Aquatic Center” in the Northwest region multiple times through Tucson Local Media’s annual Best of the Northwest readers’ choice awards. In 2023, the community once again voted the center number one, citing its well-maintained amenities, exceptional cleanliness, and friendly staff.
The center’s swim instruction program has been spotlighted in regional media as one of the top swim lesson offerings in the area. This reflects the dedication of Oro Valley’s aquatics staff and the trust families place in the program for teaching safety and skills to children.
In addition to accolades, the Aquatic Center’s continued success is evident in its usage numbers and its reputation as a host for high-profile events. From national synchronized swimming championships to state-level high school meets, the facility has drawn hundreds of athletes and thousands of spectators, fulfilling the Town’s vision of becoming a sports tourism hub.
Its design and renovation approach have also received professional attention. The project has been featured in architectural publications and case studies, recognized for transforming an aging public pool into a modern complex through innovative design and strategic funding. Swaim Associates and the Town of Oro Valley have even presented the Aquatic Center project at industry conferences as a case study in successful public facility development.
Perhaps the strongest endorsement comes from the community itself. Within its first year, the Aquatic Center exceeded membership projections, sold hundreds of passes, and welcomed thousands of visitors. In 2015, the Town highlighted the center in its annual report as a signature accomplishment, stating that it had “introduced the world to Oro Valley aquatics.”
Ongoing investments in facility upgrades — such as new shade structures and updated diving boards — demonstrate the Town’s commitment to keeping the center in top condition. The Aquatic Center’s rapid accumulation of awards, sustained public praise, and steady attendance affirm that it continues to exceed expectations.
Conclusion
The Oro Valley Aquatic Center stands as a model of how a community-driven project can deliver broad and lasting benefits. From its early mention in master plans to the day it opened its gates, the project has reflected the shared vision of local leaders and residents working together for the common good.
What emerged from this collaboration is far more than a pool. It is a vibrant center for wellness, education, competition, and community. It helps residents stay healthy, supports the local economy through tourism, provides a safe space for youth development, and offers a gathering place that brings neighbors together.
The transformation from a 40-year-old municipal pool to Southern Arizona’s premier competition-level aquatic facility has elevated Oro Valley’s reputation and enriched its community life. With every swim lesson taught, every meet hosted, and every splash made, the center continues to honor the effort and foresight that brought it into being.
The Oro Valley Aquatic Center is not just a public asset — it is a community institution, a point of pride, and a legacy of thoughtful civic planning that will benefit generations to come.
Sources:
Town of Oro Valley reports and meeting minutes;
Arizona Daily Star and
Tucson News Now coverage;
project descriptions by Swaim Associates;
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation documents;
and other references cited throughout this feature.