The existing pool has been in continuous use since the 1970s, serving the campus and the larger community with physical education classes, swim club competition, lifeguard training, swimming lessons, and recreational swimming. In addition to supporting our University students’ recreational activities throughout the years, the pool has been a learning lab for our College of Health and Sport Sciences.  The last updates were made to the facility in the 1990s.  

The fully renovated, modern Mike Rose Aquatics Center will be an asset to Memphis for decades to come. The Center will feature a Myrtha stainless steel pool system. The larger and deeper pool will have a moveable bulkhead to allow for different training and competition lengths. A new water filtration system, chlorine system, pumps, and drains will create a healthier environment for the hundreds of children who will take part in swim lessons and aquatic programs ranging from competitive swimming to water polo.  The facility will also have increased spectator seating, making it an attractive venue for regional and national swim meets. 

The Mike Rose Aquatic Center will fulfill a vision sparked by the late Mike Rose and nurtured by the Rose Family Foundation. In partnership with organizations like Splash Mid-South, YMCA, Memphis Tiger YMCA Swimming, Shelby County, the City of Memphis and many others, this beautiful facility will become a regional hub for community water safety programs, with the goal of reversing the high drowning rates in our city and introducing more diverse athletes to the sport of swimming.

This project is a public-private partnership. The total cost is $13.5M. Two components of the project totaling $7M were paid for with state capitol maintenance funds: replacement of the Recreation Center roof and repairs to the pool area, including a new HVAC system, water pumps, water filtration systems, overflow tanks, lighting, spa, pool resurfacing, deck upgrades, water treatment systems, ADA lift and electrical wiring and controls. An additional $6.5M from Shelby County government and individual, corporate, and foundation donors will fund the installation of a new, larger deeper pool, a new entrance, additional seating, and more.

Already, a new roof has been installed on the facility, as well as new HVAC and lighting. The Office of the State Architect has approved proceeding with the final phase of the project, which we expect to take 12 months to complete. The new stainless steel Myrtha pool will be installed in early 2022. 

Planned renovations include:

• Installation of a new, longer pool consisting of one body of water divided by a thermal bulkhead to have two different water temperatures. The variable temperatures will allow us to accommodate both swim lessons/learn-to-swim programming and competitive training and meet hosting in the same body of water.
• New pool pumps, multimedia filtration, UV pool system sanitation, and HVAC for a healthier swimming environment (both water quality and air quality).
• Improved lighting and new sound panels, video boards, and audio system.
• Increased seating to make the facility eligible for training and for regional swimming competitions.

Although the Mike Rose Aquatics Center will serve the greater community, it will still be a facility of the University of Memphis. We will continue to operate and maintain it.

Yes. This project is intended to the community, including our alumni, more access to the aquatics center through additional programming and enhancements.

The pool is currently closed for construction, which is expected to take 10-12 months. Project reopening is Summer 2022.

Gifts to the aquatics center project will enhance the amenities we can provide to create an enjoyable user experience for all. There are a limited number of naming opportunities still available but hurry, they won’t last long. To see a list of naming opportunities or to make a contribution to the Mike Rose Aquatics Center, visit this link.