Woodrow Wilson High School Aquatic Center

A New Home for Aquatic Excellence

At Woodrow Wilson High School, athletics have long played an important role in shaping student experiences, building school pride, and strengthening community connections. When Long Beach Unified School District set out to create a new Aquatic Center, the vision extended beyond replacing an aging facility. The goal was to create a destination where competition, learning, wellness, and community could come together in a single, high-performance environment.  

Designed to support generations of students and athletes, the new Aquatic Center represents a significant investment in both educational opportunities and extracurricular experiences. The facility provides student-athletes with state-of-the-art resources while creating a welcoming venue capable of hosting events ranging from daily physical education classes to competitive aquatic tournaments. 

Designed for Performance

At the heart of the project is a competition-ready aquatic venue featuring a 51.5-meter by 25-meter Myrtha pool designed to support both swimming and water polo programs. A movable bulkhead allows the pool to adapt to a variety of uses and competition formats, providing flexibility that supports student athletics and physical education.  

The facility’s design prioritizes the athlete and spectator experience through carefully integrated amenities including poolside shade structures, stadium lighting, a modern scoreboard, sound system, and expansive pool deck areas. Together, these features create an environment capable of accommodating both everyday use and large-scale competitive events.  

Supporting the Complete Student Experience

The Aquatic Center extends far beyond the water itself. An approximately 8,000-square-foot support facility provides the infrastructure needed to sustain a comprehensive aquatic program while enhancing the experience for students, coaches, and visitors. Locker rooms, team facilities, coach offices, concessions, support spaces, and operational areas were thoughtfully integrated to create a cohesive environment that supports every aspect of aquatic competition and instruction.  

These spaces help transform the facility into more than a sports venue. They create a place where students can build confidence, develop leadership skills, and establish relationships that extend beyond athletics.

A Resource for School and Community

As one of Long Beach’s premier educational institutions, Woodrow Wilson High School serves a community with deep connections to aquatics and recreation. The new Aquatic Center strengthens that relationship by creating a venue that can support school activities while also serving broader community needs.  

Whether hosting swim meets, water polo competitions, physical education programs, or community events, the facility provides a welcoming environment that brings people together around wellness, achievement, and shared experiences. Its flexibility ensures that the Aquatic Center will remain an active and valuable community resource for years to come. 

Investing in the Future

The Woodrow Wilson High School Aquatic Center reflects Long Beach Unified School District’s commitment to providing students with facilities that match their potential. Through a combination of competition-level amenities, flexible programming opportunities, and thoughtful support spaces, the project creates an environment where students can challenge themselves, celebrate accomplishments, and build memories that last long after graduation.  

More than a pool, it is a destination that supports student success, strengthens community connections, and expands opportunities for future generations.

Project Highlights

• Competition-ready 51.5m x 25m Myrtha pool with movable bulkhead.  
• Designed to support swimming, water polo, and physical education.  
• Includes poolside shade structures, stadium lighting, scoreboard, and sound system.  
• Over 11,000-square-foot aquatic support building.  
• Features boys, girls, and all gender locker rooms, coach offices, concessions, and operational support spaces.  
• Creates a premier aquatic destination for Wilson High School and the Long Beach community.