Tufts Announces $50 Million Olympic-Sized Aquatic Center
Tufts University on Friday announced plans to build an Olympic-sized pool and aquatic center in its Boston-area home.
The aquatic center is slated to be built in Medford and will be finished by the fall of 2028. It will be located adjacent to the Sol Gittleman Park and Voute Courts at the Tufts Tennis Center and will a 50-by-25 meter pool, two 1-meter and two 3-meter diving boards, locker rooms and spectator space.
Tufts is fundraising to cover half the costs of the construction. They’ve raised $21.7 million of the $27.5 million target, which accounts for approximately 50 percent of the cost.
“Alongside academics and co-curricular activities, our support for athletics is a critical part of providing a transformative experience for Tufts students,” Tufts University President Sunil Kumar said in a press release. “The new aquatics center will undoubtedly create a more vibrant student life for not only our student-athletes but for all our students. It will also be a space where we can welcome other members of the Tufts community and our neighbors for recreation.”
The pool will replace the Hamilton Pool in the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center, an 80-year-old facility. The Division III program splits its time between on-campus workouts and at MIT’s Olympic pool, which is an hour commute. The new pool will feature community space for residents of Medford and Somerville. The community was briefed on the plan Thursday before a wider announcement Friday.
Tufts also hopes to be able to host events like the NESCAC Championships at the new facility as well as other regional swim meets.
“This new aquatic center will mean so much to our current and past team members,” Jumbos head swimming and diving coach Adam Hoyt told The Tufts Daily. “It means that our entire team can practice together creating an even stronger bond between team members. The new aquatic center will be far more representative of the level of competitiveness of our teams and support their needs.”
Tufts is a prominent program at the D3 level. Its men’s team has finished in the top 10 in NCAAs each of the last three seasons. The women’s program won NESCAC titles in 2022 and 2023.
“The opening of our new aquatics center will be a defining moment in the history of varsity sports, club sports, recreation, and fitness at Tufts,” Director of Athletics Ryan Pisarri said.
