University of Minnesota Aquatic Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The University of Minnesota Aquatic Center, located east of Cooke Hall on the Minneapolis campus, was built in 1990. It was fashioned to meet or exceed Olympic standards so that it could host major swimming and diving events. Nearly two acres in size, the Aquatic Center houses the Dorothy L. Sheppard Pool, a 50-meter competition pool, eight lanes wide and eight feet deep, with a movable bulkhead. The separate diving well features a pair of one-and three-meter boards, as well as 1, 5, 7.5 and 10-meter diving platforms.
In addition to the 1,346 permanent seats, there is room for 1,200 temporary bleachers. In 2005, the Aquatic Center added a new state-of-the-art video display system completed at a cost of $250,000. The 21-foot by 10-foot digital video display is the largest permanent video installation in an aquatic facility in the United States.
The Aquatic Center has been the site for some of the top swimming and diving events in the country: nine Big Ten Championships, six NCAA Championships, many national and international competitions and countless Minnesota State High School Championships.
Since opening the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center has hosted numerous state, national and international events, such as:
- » One U.S. Olympic Festival
- » 39 Girls and Boys High School State Swimming & Diving Championships
- » 11 Women's Big Ten Championsips
- » 10 Men's Big Ten Championships
- » Eight Men's and Women's NCAA Division I Championships
- » Four Men's and Women's NCAA Divisioin II Championships
- » One U.S. Open Synchronized Swimming Championships
- » Four Phillips 66 National Swimming Championships
- » Eight Speedo Champions Series Meets
- » One USA Diving Spring Nationals
- » Two USA Swimming Grand Prix Meets
- » One U.S. Paralympic Swimming Trials
- » Three U.S. Open Swimming Championships
- » One Speedo Junior National Championship
State Investment
$3 million (1987) (plus $15 million from the University of Minnesota)
Current Financial Operation
Operated by the University of Minnesota
Facility Specifications
- » 50-meter indoor competition pool, eight lanes wide, with a moveable bulkhead
- » Diving well, with one and three-meter boards, and 1, 5, 7.5 and 10-meter diving platforms
- » 1,350 permanent seats, with room for 1,200 additional temporary seats
Sports and Activities Served
- » Diving
- » Swimming
- » Water Polo
- » Synchronized Swimming
- » Indoor Sailing
- » Scuba
- » Water Aerobics
- » Learn to Swim and Learn to Dive programs
For More Information
University of Minnesota Aquatic Center
100 Cooke Hall
1900 University Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(p) 612.626.1352
(f) 612.626.7708
website: University of Minnesota Aquatic Center
Duane J. Proell, Associate Director Aquatics
email: proe1001@umn.edu
News/Updates
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has designated the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission as the agency to screen and process grant applications for the new Hennepin Youth Sports Program. Click here to get the latest information on that program.