Upcoming events
- June 25-27: COPS Swim Meet
- July 21-25: American long course championship
- July 29-August 1: USA Water Polo Junior National Championship
Natatorium
Our Natatorium serves as an instructional, training and competitive venue for our district. The Natatorium was a part of our 2014 bond and planned by a team including a three-time Olympian, a man that once held the title of world’s fastest swimmer and a company that has designed five school district natatoriums. Our facility is capable of hosting district, regional, national and collegiate meets.
Features
Our Natatorium has several state-of-the-art features:
- a Source Capture Evac System for removing chloramine gas
- two top-of-the-line Myrtha pool shells with stainless steel gutters*
- 1,200 elevated seats for spectators, a ticket window and concession stand
- a heated 5 lane, 25 yard instructional pool
- a diving area with two one-meter and two three-meter boards
- a reconfigurable 68-meter competition pool with two moveable bulkheads and a handicap accessible lift
- large weight and locker rooms for students
- two Colorado Timing Systems LED video scoreboards
*All U.S., international and Olympic Championship meet pools use Myrtha pool shells
Programs
Our natatorium provides many learning opportunities for our students.
Potential future offerings include lifeguard certifications, club swimming, club water polo and masters swimming.
Water Safety program
The district Water Safety Program teaches students aquatic safety using customized weeklong sessions. Our curriculum is a blend of information from the American Red Cross and Whale's Tales. We use videos, dry land instruction, and in-water assessment in our instruction.
Student hair care
Students should follow the hair care guidelines while in the Water Safety program.
Water Safety information
- Elementary schedule coming soon
- Parent consent form coming soon
Community swim
The community swim program allows for our community to use the swim lanes for self-paced training.
The facility is specialized for lap-swimming, training, competition and instruction. Our instructional lap pool will be used first and additional lanes will be open in the competition pool if available. Swimmers can use the two on-deck changing rooms next to the instructional lap swimming pool during their visit.
Facility rentals such as swim meets, water polo matches or high school events will have priority over community swim. The opening day for Community Swim will be Monday, June 7.
Community swim punch cards available starting June 1, 2021
Punch cards are necessary for admission.
- GISD students, employees and senior citizens: $30 per card
- General admission: $45 per card
Each punch card will be for 15 visits (buy 10, get 5 free).
All tickets will be paid for online starting June 1, 2021, through our Online ticketing system.
There are two ways to pick up your punch card at the Natatorium:
- Print the receipt and bring a copy with you.
- Bring the electronic receipt on your phone for proof of purchase.
Note: In order to receive the GISD employee/student & Senior Citizen discount, you will need to show proof at the Natatorium.
Hours for community swim
The natatorium will accept swimmers during these times:
- Monday - Thursday: 7:15-8:15 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Please note that the pool will be closed on July 5 and the last day for community swim will be July 20. The pool will stay closed until late August for pool maintenance.
Time changes
The following dates have changes to community swim hours:
- June 19: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- June 26: No community swim
- July 5: No community swim
- July 21-31: Closed for pool maintenance
Community swim guidelines and policies
We have rules in place to ensure health and safety standards are met:
- Everyone will wear a mask inside the building unless in the water.
- Children under 10 must have an adult in the water with them at all times.
- Children ages 11-15 must have an adult on the pool deck with them at all times.
- No one under 16 may be dropped off and picked up at a later time. Minors must be supervised.
- On-deck coaching is prohibited during community swim hours.
- The public may not use the showers, locker rooms, and weight rooms.
High school swim teams
Students at all seven high schools have the opportunity to participate in varsity and junior varsity swimming and diving. Tryouts are held at the beginning of each school year. All of our district swim teams will make use of the facility when available.
Interested in joining the swim or dive team? See the HS team info below and fill out the interest form:
To join a team, students must complete the paperwork in Rank One and turn in their athletic physicals. Students can begin filling out applications after April 1 for the 2021-22 school year.
HS Team expectations
- Attend practice daily
- Double block schedule (A and B-day)
- Participate in all meets/competitions
- Stay in good academic and behavioral standing
- Be positive and encourage your teammates
Participating and team placement
All swim classes will have double-blocked classes. Students will try out for placement in either the varsity swim team, junior varsity swim team, or the diving classes. Class placement will be determined by the coaches.
Practice times
- Varsity swim: 6-8 a.m.
- Junior varsity swim: 1:45-3:30 p.m.
- Divers: 6-8 a.m.
Summer conditioning
Any incoming 9-12 grade students that would like to swim in the fall are welcome to sign up for summer conditioning. Summer conditioning allows students to practice swimming and keep fit during the summer break.
Attending conditioning
Summer conditioning will start on June 14th and will continue until the start of school. Sessions will be held Monday-Thursday from 8-10 a.m. Students must sign up and be cleared in Rank One before attending. Students should bring:
- Tennis shoes
- Workout clothes
- Water
- Swimsuit
- Goggles
- Cap
- Towel
Tryout dates
All swim students will participate in tryouts for assessment and placement.
The tryout dates for the 2021-22 school year are July 26-27 from 6-8 p.m.
Coach contact information
Have a question or need more information? Your HS coaches are happy to help.
- Coach Wiggins: jpwiggin@garlandisd.net
- Coach Hafner: dhafner@garlandisd.net
- Coach Henderson: smhender@garlandisd.net
Safety and policies
Our main priority is the safety of our students, staff and spectators. The natatorium will follow all district, local and state guidelines and policies. More information on safety, policies and our calendar is coming soon.
We ask everyone visiting the natatorium to follow the spectator code of conduct.
GISD clear bag policy will be enforced at all GISD athletic events.
Directions
Address: 2585 Firewheel Pkwy, Garland, TX, 75040
Contact us
For more information, please contact:
Philip Wiggins
Aquatic Manager
District Head Swim/Dive Coach