Opened in March 2007, the Aztec Aquaplex is the long-awaited complex that is the final piece of the puzzle for the San Diego State athletic department. The 112,000-square foot facility is nestled between Tony Gwynn Stadium, SDSU Softball Stadium, Aztec Tennis Center, three football practice fields and the SDSU Sports Deck. In addition, Viejas Arena is well within walking distance, which truly makes the west side of campus the home for Aztec athletics. Moreover, the Aquaplex is situated behind the Aztec Athletics Center, which allows student-athletes easy access to some of the top training personnel and weightlifting facilities on the West Coast.
The Aztec Aquaplex features two pools, one for competition, and another for recreation and a hydrotherapy spa. The competition pool measures 51 meters in length and 25 meters in width. It also includes a movable stainless steel bulkhead, which allows a flexible water depth of anywhere between seven and 17 feet.
The pool can accommodate a multitude of competitive swimming events (25-yard short course, 25-meter short course, 50-meter long course); water polo games with floating cage courses of 25 yards, 25 meters and 30 meters, in addition to three 25-yard fixed cage courses; and diving competition with its one- and three-meter springboards, along with the option of expanding the platform to 10 meters.
The facility's 7,300-square-foot recreation pool will be just as multi-dimensional as its counterpart. The pool, which is open to the public, maintains a water temperature of approximately 83 degrees and features a beach-style entrance on one side leading to a depth of five feet. It also includes four lanes for lap swimming and water aerobics, as well as an area for water basketball and volleyball, recreational swimming and floating lounges. Throw in a cloverleaf-shaped hydrotherapy spa and San Diego State has one of the leading aquatic facilities in the United States.
The nerve center of the Aztec Aquaplex lies in the 5,000 square-foot operations building, which contains showers, locker rooms, restrooms, administrative offices, guest services and storage. The facility is also equipped with an 8,000 square-foot solar water heating panel that doubles as a shading structure for the seating area, which can accommodate 500 spectators.
"We are thrilled to finally have a true home-pool advantage where our players have the opportunity to compete in front of friends, family and other Aztec athletes right here on campus," said SDSU water polo head coach Carin Crawford.
The completion of the Aztec Aquaplex proves that San Diego State University is committed to providing its student-athletes and the Aztec community with the highest quality facilities in America.