TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Board of Trustees recently approved a $21 million renewal and renovation of the Alabama Aquatic Center, the home of the Crimson Tide men's and women's swimming and diving programs.

"We're very excited to be moving forward with this project that will significantly enhance our training and competition facilities," UA head coach Dennis Pursley said. "This project will also provide a top-of-the-line team suite that will include new locker rooms and nutrition station as well a team meeting room and a separate team lounge. The addition of a 25-yard by 25-meter outdoor pool that will also include springboard diving stations will greatly enhance our versatility in terms of training as well as hosting meets."

The project will take the existing 25-yard indoor pool on the east side of the facility, remove its roof and expand it to a 25-yard by 25-meter pool, while increasing the depth of the pool to accommodate the additions of 1-meter and 3-meter springboards for diving.

"Long considered one of the nation's fastest pools, the expansion and complete renovation of the Alabama Aquatic Center will bring the entire facility up to a championship standard," UA Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said. "The changes and additions will enhance our training and competition environment and give our swimming and diving programs everything they need to be successful at the highest levels."

Among the renovations to the Don Gambril Olympic Pool area will be new 7.5- and 3-meter diving platforms, an athletic training room as well as expanded deck space, sectional glass roll-up doors along the west side of the building, new pool deck surface, ceiling, lighting and spectator seating.

The renovation will also include a new team suite that will house locker rooms for both teams as well as a nutrition station, team meeting room, a team lounge and coaches' offices and conference room.

The University of Alabama, the Athletics Department and Davis Architects, Inc., are currently putting the final details into place for the project.

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