Zesiger Teaching Pool Construction

 

 

The Zesiger Teaching Pool is temporarily CLOSED!

Teaching Pool Update, 4/26: The initial phase (excavation) of the teaching pool repair is scheduled to begin the week of April 29th and will involve loud impactful work. We know from the Alumni Project that this sound reverberates through the concrete and we feel that having swimmers in the pool at the same time would not be the best practice. For this reason, we will be closing the entire Zesiger Aquatic Center on Wednesday 5/1 (6:00am – 1:15pm), Thursday 5/2 (6:00am – 2:00pm), Friday 5/3 (6:00am – 2:00pm) and Monday 5/6 (6:00am – 2:00pm). If work progresses faster than expected we may modify the closure schedule. 

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The purpose of this page is to provide an update on the ongoing maintenance and temperature issues with the Zesiger Teaching Pool.  This past week we closed the pool for further investigation and discovered that there is a crack in one of the pool recirculation pipes.  Unfortunately, the fix for this issue is complicated and will require the Teaching Pool to be closed for an extended period.  While it is too early to predict an exact repair timeline, we don’t anticipate the teaching pool reopening before Commencement (end of May). We are working closely with the MIT Department of Facilities (DoF), who are actively mobilizing resources to support this project and thank them for their ongoing partnership and coordination to complete this important repair.  

For our aquatic community, this additional pool closure comes at a difficult time. Especially those who require shallow and/or warmer water, please see the temporary membership accommodations we’ve listed below should you choose to cancel or pause your membership or other services. We will do our best to continue providing pool space for our internal user groups, programming, recreational swimmers, and external partners in the remaining space.  We ask for everyone’s patience as we navigate this project and reconfigure the pool operations.  Please continue to visit the online pool schedule for the most up-to-date information on recreational swim availability.  

Temporary membership accommodations are available, including: 

  • Waived cancellation fees
    • Members can request to cancel their membership without a penalty until 4/28/24. This will give members the flexibility to renew at their convenience upon completion of the Zesiger Teaching Pool repairs. Please complete our membership change form to request a cancellation.
  • Membership, locker, and towel service holds
    • If you do not intend to use the competition/dive well pool or any other DAPER facility space while repairs are being made, hold fees will be waived. Please complete our membership hold form by 4/28/24 to request a hold to your membership and/or service. Memberships will automatically resume when the teaching pool reopens.  

Quick FAQ’s 

Q: When is the Teaching Pool closing? 
A: The Teaching Pool is currently closed and will remain closed until the pipe is repaired. No timeline has yet to be identified, however, we are working with on and off campus resources to make repairs as quickly as possible. Updates on the Teaching Pool maintenance can be found on this landing page and on our social media accounts.

Q: Will I still be able to access the competition pool/Dive Well?
A: Yes, please continue to visit the online pool schedule for the most up-to-date information on recreational swim availability.  

Q: If I want to swim in the Zesiger Competition Pool/Dive Well for my swim workouts, what do I need to know about swimming there? 
A: The competition pool while in Short Course Yards is the same width as the Teaching Pool (25 yards). The main differences are that the Competition Pool has a minimum depth of 7ft, has an average temperature of 79-81F and is designed for those who are competent swimmers able to swim a minimum of 25 yards. Additionally, the pool will move to Long Course Meters on April 22nd. Please visit our policies page for more information on pool rules. Please be sure to check the online pool schedule before your visits.

Q: Can my child swim in the Zesiger Competition Pool/Dive Well?
A: The pool is designed for competent swimmers able to swim at least 25 yards without flotation assistance (lifejacket, noodle, kickboard, puddle jumper, etc). Demonstration of swimming ability must be performed at the request of the lifeguard.  This includes a deep-water swim test, consisting of swimming 25 yards on the participant’s front using any stroke.

Q: Should I elect to do so, how do I place my locker on hold during this project?
A: If you do not intend to use the competition pool or any other DAPER facility space while repairs are being made, hold fees will be waived. Please complete our membership hold form by 4/28/24 to request a hold to your membership and/or service. Memberships will automatically resume when the teaching pool reopens.

Q: I have a family membership, how do I switch to an individual membership because of the project?
A: Members can downgrade their membership from family to individual by completing our membership change form. Select the downgrade option when completing the form. When the pool reopens complete the form and select upgrade to resume your family membership.

Q: How should I keep informed during this project? 
Join our Aquatics weekly newsletter email list to receive the most up to date news, events and facility notifications and follow us on social media @MITRecreation. 

We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding,