Looking at all the discussion about where to host Nationals, I thought I would start a thread on your favorite or unusual pools that you have competed in.
There was a 50 meter pool in San Antonio Texas at the Lone Star Brewery. I believe it was spring fed and was surrounded on three sides by a pond. The meets used to be a favorite with the parents, because brewery tours and samples were available. It did not have much shade around the deck, but was a fast pool. Unfortunately it was closed when Stroh's bought Lone Star and moved the brewing operations.
The brewery is going to be redeveloped with with shopping, lofts, a health facility, and they are going to reopen the pool and beer garden area.
Once the University of Minnesota opened their new pool, it became my favorite. Cook Hall was a DUMP and I always hated swimming there! The new Natatorium opened in 1990 and was an instant hit. My college swam against the U every year and we also had the Gopher State Invite every December. The MIAC Conference Meet has been held there several times too.
Of course, 1999 Long Course Nationals was there as well. That was my first Masters Nationals and five of my six swims were very good.
Swam some fast times there for sure and thought the facility was top-notch. Have good memories of the place.
Current favorite competition pool is at UT. They finished the thing and let us in it during the spring of my freshman year in 77. The team trained in Gregory Gym in a 33 yrd pool prior to that.
Did not get to compete in the pool while I was in college, I retired after my freshman year. Did swim in there at the SCY Nationals and Zones.
I have a top 5 favorite list:
1. Indianapolis (best college times at that pool)
2. Austin (final non-masters competition was there)
3. East Los Angeles College (scary area but fast short course pool back in the day, can't believe a short course Nationals was held there...)
4. Belmont Plaza (great high-school relay meets and Q-meets)
5. Speiker Aquatic Center (Cal--for purely sentimental reasons).
1) Mt Hood
2)Indy
3)Austin
4)Federal Way
5)ASU
Belmont Plaza doesn't make my list,It is a fast pool and SPMA holds a great meet,bit in Dec it is often too cold inside.
Former Member
Probably a tie between the Santa Clara Swim Center, UT Austin's pool (SCY) and Belmont Plaza.
1. UGA
2. Auburn
3. Univ. of Maryland - College Park
4. Indy
5. Austin
Anybody that has done the Classic City Masters LC Meet in early June will tell you that the University of Georgia pool is a deluxe facility. In addition, has a diving well, a 25 yard cool-down pool with 8 lanes (they actually use the diving well during the LC meet, but could use the 25 yard pool during Nationals), and seating for 2000. Wish they would make a bid for 2010 SC Nationals. It is a little easier to get around Athens than Atlanta (although Atlanta is easier than D.C. area). Athens is about a 45 -55 minute drive from Atlanta.
Former Member
I have a top 5 favorite list:
1. Indianapolis (best college times at that pool)
2. Austin (final non-masters competition was there)
3. East Los Angeles College (scary area but fast short course pool back in the day, can't believe a short course Nationals was held there...)
4. Belmont Plaza (great high-school relay meets and Q-meets)
5. Speiker Aquatic Center (Cal--for purely sentimental reasons).
Amy - right on, I forgot East LA College - swam several great races there (Pac 10's)!
Former Member
Hall of Fame Pool in Ft. Lauderdale
University of Alabama (even though its old)
Indianapolis
These are pools from back in my old days (pre 1993). I haven't had the opportunity to swim in any of the new ones around the SE (UGA, Auburn, GA Tech, etc)
Former Member
East LA City College was a great pool....CIF Championships there in high school.....
