Tufts University Plans New Aquatics Center

Tufts University announced plans to build a new aquatics center on its Medford campus for the school's men's and women's swimming and diving teams. The new center will be designed to enable concurrent practice for both teams and on-campus hosting of conference and regional competitions.

According to a Boston.com report, the aquatics center will be located near the recently completed Sol Gittleman Park and Vouté Courts at the Tufts Tennis Center. A planned tennis pavilion and additional facilities are also planned for the area on campus, according to a university news release.

Beyond athletics, the facility would also support campus recreation and community programs, including open swim hours, water aerobics, swim lessons for Medford and Somerville residents, and events such as a Medford-Somerville high school swimming classic.

Key features of the new facility include a 50-by-25-meter Olympic-sized pool, two 1-meter and two 3-meter diving boards, spectator seating, separate locker rooms, and a modern timing system and scoreboard.

Around the pool, additional spaces, such as a “wet classroom,” would support wellness programming and serve as gathering areas for students, faculty, and staff.

“Alongside academics and co-curricular activities, our support for athletics is a critical part of providing a transformative experience for Tufts students,” Tufts President Sunil Kumar said in a university statement. “The new aquatics center will undoubtedly create a more vibrant student life for not only our student-athletes but also for all our students.”

According to the university, the swimming and diving program has been receiving athletics honors. For example, the women's swimming and diving team won back-to-back New England Small College Athletic Conference championships in 2022 and 2023. The men's swimming and diving team wrapped up their seasons in the top 10 of the NCAA Division III standings from 2023 through 2025.

The new facility project is partially funded. Tufts reports raising approximately $21.7 million toward the costs so far.

According to a Boston.com report, Tufts aims to submit proposals to the City of Medford for the facility, which would be located on College Avenue, which runs through the campus. If approved, construction on the facility is expected to be completed by the beginning of the fall 2028 semester.