Indiana University Natatorium
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
After 33 years, the IU Natatorium underwent a major renovation and decided to install two new Natare bulkheads to ensure its esteemed presence continued as a world-class aquatic facility into the 21st century.
Project Overview
Considered one of the fastest pools in the country, the IU Natatorium is a 220,000-square-foot (20,439 meter) facility with an eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool, a six-lane, 50-meter teaching and training pool and a world-class diving well.
The IU Natatorium is iconic in the world of swimming. It is home of numerous US and world records and has been the host of hundreds of swimming, synchronized swimming and diving championships, and held 14 Olympic trials.
When the Natatorium was first built in 1982, Natare supplied the bulkheads as well as the filtration system for the facility. As part of the $20 million renovation in 2016, there was a demand for two new movable competition bulkheads in preparation for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials. Natare Corporation built the new bulkheads for the IU Natatorium that will allow for long or short course events as well as hosting water polo and synchronized swimming.
The venue holds 4,700 spectators with another 1,500 people on the deck, which makes the IU Natatorium the largest permanent swimming competition facility in the country. Natare bulkheads have been used since their opening in 1982.
History
The seating capacity of the Natatorium is 4,700, making it the largest indoor swimming competition venue in the United States. There is also room for additional seating of 1,500 on the deck.
The depth of the pool is 9 feet (2.7 m) at the end and 10 feet (3.0 m) at center of pool. Water temperature is kept at 79 °F (26 °C). The main pool contains six underwater windows for television and coaching analysis. There are approximately 1,000,000 US gallons (3,800,000 liters) of water in the main pool. There have been 138 American records and 19 world records set in the pool to date.
This premier competition pool has been recognized as one of the fastest pools in the world with world and American records set by athletes from many countries.
