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 Naranja Park, envisioning 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to upgrade aging infrastructure, the Town Council approved $5 million in capital improvements in 2012 to transform the outdated pool into a modern, competitive-grade aquatic center.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, just 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, successfully converting a 40-year-old basic pool into a regional aquatics destination in less than one year.
Key Contributors and Champions
The creation of the Oro Valley Aquatic Center was made possible through the dedicated efforts of civic leaders, town staff, and engaged community members.
Paul Loomis, who served as Oro Valley’s Mayor from 2000 to 2010, played an early and important role. During his tenure, the Town secured land for Naranja Park and adopted the 2002 master plan, which included a proposed aquatics facility. Although the facility was not built during his administration, Loomis helped lay the foundation for future progress by prioritizing recreational infrastructure.
Following Loomis, Mayor Satish I. Hiremath took office in 2010 and became a leading advocate for turning the Aquatic Center into reality. Hiremath emphasized sports and recreation as drivers of economic growth and community health. He, along with a supportive Town Council, pushed the project forward. Councilmember Mary Snider, serving as the Council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, was especially vocal in promoting the project and representing residents’ interests.
In 2012, the Town Council voted unanimously to move ahead with the new facility. Hiremath described the Aquatic Center as a key investment in Oro Valley’s future, while Snider provided hands-on guidance during planning and community engagement.
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.
Legner also helped launch the Friends of the Pool initiative, a grassroots fundraising campaign inviting residents and organizations to support the facility’s enhancement. Early donors included Lyra Done, the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, and many others from the local business community.
The Oro Valley Swim Team and several high school swim coaches endorsed the project and provided public support. The facility was built adjacent to Canyon del Oro High School, and the Town coordinated with the Amphitheater School District to ensure the school’s swim team could benefit from the upgraded space.
The Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau (MTCVB) partnered with the Town to promote the Aquatic Center regionally. In September 2012, MTCVB’s marketing director unveiled an official logo and branding for the Aquatic Center, aligning with Oro Valley’s strategy to attract sports tourism events.
This coordinated effort,spanning former and current mayors, council members, parks staff, donors, business leaders, swim advocates, and tourism officials,made the vision of a modern aquatic facility a reality. Their collective investment ensured the Aquatic Center would become a long-term asset for residents and visitors alike.
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. Swaim devised a two-phase construction plan, ultimately executed as a single fast-track project. The first phase focused on updating the existing 50-meter pool to modern competitive standards; the second added recreation features and new buildings.
The architects preserved and reused key elements of the original facility, such as salvaging structural steel from the former bathhouse for the new pump house and storage building.
Engineering improvements included raising the pool deck by two feet to create a uniform depth for national-level competition and installing a modern gutter and water circulation system for quality and high usage. The 50-meter pool received a Colorado Timing System with touchpads, a ten-lane digital scoreboard, high-output lighting, and enhanced diving boards.
The new main building includes administrative offices, a multipurpose classroom, lifeguard and first-aid rooms, a concessions stand, updated locker rooms, and family changing areas,all with heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort.
Outdoor improvements included a widened pool deck, trench drains for better drainage, refurbished bleachers with shade canopies, new amenities, and extensive landscaping.
The completed center now supports both local use and national competitions. The project stayed within a $4.7 million budget and was completed between April 2012 and March 2013.
Learn about upcoming aquatic events in our Events Calendar or discover local swim groups in the Community Directory.
Community Involvement and Support
Community engagement was a hallmark of the Aquatic Center’s development. Oro Valley officials prioritized transparency, public input, and inclusive planning through town meetings and board sessions.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board played a central role, and Parks Director Ainsley Legner presented plans to the board, highlighting community-supported additions like the warm-up pool and sponsorship opportunities.
During construction, the Town launched the Friends of the Pool campaign to involve residents in enhancements. Donations from local individuals, families, and businesses funded second-phase features. The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce and resident Lyra Done were among the notable supporters.
Regional cooperation allowed displaced swimmers to use pools at the Northwest YMCA, Town of Marana, and a local resort. The Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau led a branding campaign to promote the Aquatic Center as both a community asset and a tourism destination.
On March 15, 2013, hundreds gathered for the Aquatic Center’s public grand opening. The event featured tours, activities, and formal recognition of supporters. Mayor Satish Hiremath emphasized the facility was a direct response to community needs.
Community involvement continues today with the Aquatics Advisory Committee and ongoing partnerships with the Oro Valley Swim Team and local schools.
Learn about other community-driven initiatives in our Nonprofit Section.
Facilities and Programming Overview
The Oro Valley Aquatic Center balances competition standards with family-friendly features. The complex includes a 50-meter Olympic-size pool, configurable for both long and short course swimming, and a 25-yard, six-lane recreation pool for lessons and leisure swimming.
Family amenities include a shaded splash pad with interactive spray toys, a 130-foot spiral water slide, diving boards, and wide pool decks with shaded seating. A reservable party ramada, picnic tables, and concessions add to the site’s appeal.
Indoors, guests find modern locker rooms, family changing areas, a staffed lobby, a concessions stand, a multipurpose room, and administrative offices. The center offers free public Wi-Fi and a sound system for events.
Programming runs year-round, with heated pools for daily lap swimming, swim lessons for children, and aqua fitness classes for all ages. Group and private lessons, lifeguard training, and seasonal events keep the schedule full.
The Oro Valley Swim Team (OVST) and Canyon del Oro High School call the center home. It hosts club training, school practices, and meets. Adults can join lap swim hours, Masters swim, aqua aerobics, or scuba lessons.
Summer brings family fun nights, teen swim parties, Dive-In Movies, and “Splash N’ Dash” events. Private rentals are available for birthdays and corporate gatherings.
Find more activities and group opportunities in our Community Directory and see upcoming events in our Events Calendar.
Community Benefits and Impact
Public Health and Wellness
The Aquatic Center provides Oro Valley residents with year-round exercise, cool relief in summer, and water safety training for all ages. Seniors and those in rehabilitation benefit from low-impact water fitness classes. Consistent use reflects its success in promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Economic Development and Tourism
The Aquatic Center has become a catalyst for sports tourism, hosting regional and national competitions. These events bring athletes, families, and visitors who support local hotels, restaurants, and retail.
The center has hosted U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships, high school championships, water polo tournaments, and club swim meets, generating significant local economic impact.
The Aquatic Center also boosts real estate value and town appeal. See more reasons to live in Oro Valley in our Real Estate Guide.
Social Engagement and Community Identity
The Aquatic Center serves as a vibrant social space, with programming that engages all ages and fosters cross-generational connection. Events like Dive-In Movie nights and Family Fun Days bring residents together.
Swim team practices and meets are community gatherings. Town surveys consistently rank the Aquatic Center among Oro Valley’s most valued assets.
Youth Development and Opportunity
The Aquatic Center has expanded youth opportunities in swimming, lifeguard training, and employment. Local teens gain leadership skills and work experience as lifeguards and instructors.
Major events inspire young athletes and encourage youth civic engagement. The center is a powerful driver for youth development in Oro Valley.
Recognition and Awards
Since opening, the Oro Valley Aquatic Center has received substantial recognition at the state and local levels. Most notably, it was awarded the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association’s “Outstanding Facility Award” in 2013,the same year it opened.
The award recognized the center’s design, community collaboration, and immediate impact. It is described as a “nationally attractive” venue, setting new standards for municipal aquatics.
The center has been voted “Best Aquatic Center” in the Northwest region multiple times and featured in regional media for its swim instruction program and exceptional amenities.
Hosting national and state-level events, the facility draws hundreds of athletes and thousands of spectators, fulfilling Oro Valley’s vision of a sports tourism hub.
The project has been featured in architectural publications and case studies, recognized for transforming an aging pool into a modern complex through innovative design and funding.
Ongoing upgrades, such as new shade structures and diving boards, show the Town’s commitment to keeping the center top-tier. The Aquatic Center’s rapid accumulation of awards 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 days in town planning to the day it opened its gates, the center has reflected the shared vision of local leaders and residents.
It is far more than a pool: it is a center for wellness, education, competition, and community,a gathering place that brings neighbors together, supports the economy, and offers safe spaces for youth development.
The transformation from a 40-year-old municipal pool to Southern Arizona’s premier aquatic facility has elevated Oro Valley’s reputation and enriched community life. The Aquatic Center is not just a public asset,it is a point of pride and a legacy of thoughtful civic planning that will benefit generations to come.
Learn about more local facilities and community stories in our Nonprofit Section and Community Directory.
Sources:
Town of Oro Valley reports and meeting minutes;
Arizona Daily Star;
Tucson News Now;
Swaim Associates project descriptions;
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation;
and other references cited throughout this feature.