Year-Round Pool Access at FGCU Aquatics Center in Southwest Florida

High temperatures in Southwest Florida can lead to challenges finding the right place to cool off.

But did you know the pool at one of the local universities is open year-round and gives visitors a variety of options?

Built in 2004, the Lee County/FGCU Aquatics Center opened in 2004 with more than 1 million gallons of water. The facility houses a 50-meter-by-25-yard pool and a diving well, which also accommodates lap swimmers.

During the short-course portion of the swimming calendar, which stretches between August and March, both pools are set to a 25-yard format. Between mid-March and late July, the long course season typically begins.

While the long course season remains effective, the competition pool switches to a 50-meter format, broken into 10 lanes.

The facility offers the community the option for lap swimming in both pools while local club teams or the university's Division 1 team.

On Mondays and Wednesdays the facility typically opens to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while on Tuesdays and Thursdays they open closer to noon and remain open until 8 p.m.

On Fridays, they typically open at 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., and on Saturdays the usual hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The facility sometimes adjusts its hours when college teams make their way down for their intersession training during the holidays between December and January, and closes in the afternoon the days some athletic events are scheduled.

While FGCU students can access the Aquatics Center using their student ID, FGCU faculty and staff, Southwest Florida residents or visitors have two options — a daily fee or a membership.

It costs $5 for faculty, staff, alumni and adult community members to pay for a lap swim and $4 for seniors 55 and older and children younger than 12. However, the facility offers a $160 yearly pass, which adjusts to $80 for children and seniors.

The facility rules state that children younger than 13 must be under direct adult supervision at all times, and an adult must accompany children younger than 5.

The pool's amenities include locker rooms with showers; a family restroom with shower; a drinking fountain; kickboards, paddles, pull buoys and aqua joggers; floating mats; and picnic tables.

The facility tracks severe weather in real time.

If lightning strikes within 10 miles, the venue's thunderstorm alarm goes off.

The facility will remain closed until 30 minutes after the last strike.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.