Eastern Michigan University's Jones Natatorium will close May 9, 2027, which could mean the discontinuation of the women's swimming and diving program if no NCAA-compliant alternative pool facility is found.
The announcement came to the EMU community from President Brendan Kelly in an email on Aug. 14, 2026. The decision to close the pool facility was described as a necessary move for long-term institutional sustainability.
A facility in decline
Jones Natatorium has been a staple of the Ypsilanti campus for over 40 years. However, Kelly said in the email that decades of exposure to a demanding pool environment have resulted in facility degradation that is now financially unsustainable.
The university conducted an extensive evaluation of its options before reaching this conclusion, Kelly said. A complete renovation of the current space would cost between $19.2 million and $21.5 million, he said in the email. Such a project would also require the facility to be shuttered for 18 to 24 months, leaving athletes without a home for two full seasons. Alternatively, the cost of replacing the facility entirely is estimated at $30 million to $33 million, Kelly said.
"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.
Substantial outside philanthropy would be required within the next nine months to allow a capital project to address the issues of the facility, EMU administrators said on an informational webpage. Even if funding is secured, the multi-year project would still cause program disruption.
The impact on student-athletes
One of the most significant consequences of the closure is the possible discontinuation of the women’s swimming and diving program following the 2026-27 season. President Kelly’s email noted that the program will only continue if an NCAA-compliant alternative facility can be secured.
To allow current roster members to finish their immediate competitive goals, the facility will remain operational through the end of the next academic year. This provides the 2026-27 team one final season to compete in their home waters before the May 9 deadline. However, the university made it clear that absent significant philanthropy, the pool and the program are nearing their end.
Community impact
Beyond the impact on EMU's swim and dive team, the decision could also impact others who use the pool. Kelly said.
Beyond the varsity roster, the facility is a hub for high school teams that utilize the lanes for evening practices and weekend competitions, as well as local swim clubs and recreational users who take advantage of free swim hours and exercise programs. The university has pledged to work closely with these partners to support scheduling transitions as the 2027 deadline approaches.
"We recognize the impact this decision will have on our student athletes, coaches and community partners," he said in the email. "We will work closely with campus and community partners that rely on the natatorium to support their programming."
Title IX and legal concerns
The potential removal of a varsity women’s program raises significant questions regarding Title IX compliance. Federal 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.
In his email, 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.
Under the "Three-Part Test" used by the Office for Civil Rights, schools must demonstrate they are effectively accommodating the interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex.
"EMU remains confident in its ability to consistently offer outstanding and equitable athletic opportunities for its student-athletes," Kelly said in his email.
