Eastern Michigan Swimming Faces Uncertain Future After School Announces Closing Date for Jones Natatorium
Another college program is facing a possible elimination a the NCAA Division I level.
Eastern Michigan University announced its Jones Natatorium will close May 9, 2027, which could leave the Eagles without a training pool, first reported by the Eastern Echo.
The announcement came from an emailed letter by Eastern Michigan University President Brendan Kelly on Aug. 14.
The natatorium is more than 40 years old and the decades of exposure has led to facility degradation, leading to a financially unsustainable situation, Kelly wrote in the letter.
“This decision reflects EMU’s responsibility to prioritize investments that support the greatest number of students and ensure long-term institutional sustainability,” Kelly said in the email.
Eastern Michigan currently has just a women’s swimming and diving team. The school discontinued the men’s program because of Title IX and financial issues several years ago.
According to the letter, a full renovation of the natatorium would cost between $19.2-21.5 million. A project like that would also require the facility to be closed for up to two years, leaving athletes without a home for two full seasons.
The other option would be a complete replacement, which would cost at least $30 million, Kelly said.
“Substantial outside philanthropy” would be required within nine months to address the facility issues, but even if that happens, it would be a multi-year project that would cause major disruption to the program.
The Eastern Michigan closure would also disrupt other events such as the high school state championship meet, which has been a staple at EMU every year as one of the three facilities rotating the three Michigan High School Athletic Association divisions.
Title IX law requires that educational institutions receiving federal funds provide equal athletic opportunities and equivalent benefits, opportunities and treatment to male and female athletes. This includes the quality and availability of practice and competitive facilities.
Kelly said the university is “carefully assessing the potential Title IX impact” that the closure and the potential loss of the varsity program could bring.
