Swimming and Diving Opens Ralph R. Wright Natatorium
September 20, 2005 | Swimming & Diving
Sept. 20, 2005
The University of Louisville athletic department officially opened the anxiously-awaited Ralph R. Wright Natatorium with a diving and swimming exhibition by the Cardinal swim team and commentary from the key players in getting the state-of-the-art facility opened.
The ceremony featured speeches from Nathaniel Green, Vice Chair of the U of L Board of Trustees, University of Louisville President James Ramsey, Athletic Director Tom Jurich, Student Government President Bill Brammell, Cardinal Swimmer Stephanie Wyatt, Alice Wright Belknap, daughter of namesake Ralph Wright and U of L swim coach Arthur Albiero.
The facility features an eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool with two 1-meter and 3-meter springboards. The diving tower has platforms at five meters, 7.5 meters and 10 meters. The pool holds approximately 993,000 gallons of water and was designed with NCAA and USA Swimming and Diving competition in mind. The 41,000-square-foot facility can accommodate up to 800 spectators and athletes and has a state-of-the-art timing system and scoreboard provided by Daktronics. It will be available to students, faculty and staff and the total cost of the project is $11,675,000. Bonds were issued in the amount of $11,235,000 with the remainder covered with cash on hand from donations.
