The City of Arlington plans to begin offering swim lessons and other aquatics programming at Arlington Independent School District’s recently opened natatorium this year.
As part of an interlocal agreement reached in 2018, the City of Arlington contributed $1 million toward Arlington ISD’s voter-approved $40.7 million state-of-the-art natatorium. This additional funding allowed the indoor pool’s size to be increased to support programming for Arlington residents, as well as to add features needed to host high-level competitive swim events that draw visitors from across the state and country.
Arlington’s 10-year agreement with Arlington ISD, which includes paying $100,000 a year for the first five years to use the facility, was set to begin when the natatorium opened this past September as part of the district’s Fine Arts and Athletics Complex near AT&T Stadium. The Arlington City Council voted Nov. 10 to delay the start of the programming aspect of the agreement until March 1, due to COVID-19 budgetary impacts for the Parks & Recreation Department. The agreement allows the City to provide up to 2,500 hours a year in programming for residents and to make the facility available when not in use by students for large-scale national events.
Beginning March 1, the City plans to start American Red Cross swimming lessons for children ages 4 to 12 years old as well as to adult beginners. To sign up for the lessons, visit tinyurl.com/y5eqgbtj.
In addition to swimming lessons, residents will also be able to participate in scheduled lap swimming. Lap swimming will be available to the City of Arlington Parks and Recreation members or as a daily pass. To reserve the pool for lap swimming, visit tinyurl.com/yxcg2k6w.
“We are excited about the opportunity to expand our aquatics programming to North Arlington residents through this new indoor facility,” says Venera Flores-Stafford, Parks and Recreation assistant director.
Residents can also enjoy the indoor pool at the newly opened East Library and Recreation Center at 1817 New York Ave.
Arlington ISD’s first-ever natatorium offers seating for 1,000 spectators and a 50-meter world-class Myrtha pool that was built in Italy and shipped in pieces to Texas. The pool has movable bulkheads, a diving area with four boards, extra lane space and equipment that was custom-ordered to help strengthen swimmers.
The Arlington ISD Athletics Center, where the natatorium is located, also includes an arena for basketball, volleyball, wrestling and elementary gymnastics.
