Texas Border Business
By Marisol Villarreal
PHARR, Texas – UTRGV, in partnership with the City of Pharr and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, on Jan. 29 celebrated the opening of a natatorium designed to benefit the entire community with its state-of-the-art facilities.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the natatorium, which will be used by the university’s women’s swimming and diving programs for training, has been made possible through the vision and collaborative hard work of many.
“We are excited for the future and for the opportunities this will provide,” Bailey said. “As always, we are grateful to the City of Pharr for its continued support of the university, the UTRGV community and the entire Rio Grande Valley.”
Officials from UTRGV, the city, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo schools and the community attended the grand opening at the aquatics center, which is located on the northwest corner of Sioux Road and US 281 in Pharr.
The facility features a 50-meter competition pool, a dive pool with springboards and platforms, and spectator seating.
Bailey and University of Texas Regent Dr. Nolan Perez shared their appreciation for the partnership and for the city’s $5,000 donation to the university’s swimming and upcoming diving program.
Perez said it is important to have a state-of-the-art facility like this one as a means, in part, of educating young children about swimming and water safety.
“I’m very excited not only for the competitions that will take place here on the high school and intercollegiate levels, but about being able to have the opportunity to teach second-graders how to swim. This natatorium, really, can allow for that opportunity,” Perez said.
Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez said everyone is excited about the many opportunities the partnership will provide.
“We’re very thankful to the university for choosing the City of Pharr for these great ideas to bring together our city and our community, with a Rio Grande Valley benefit, ” he said.
A spokesperson for the city said the natatorium will be open to the public, but days and times of operation have not yet been finalized.
Pending approval by the UT System Board of Regents, UTRGV will utilize the natatorium for competitions in 2024, with 2023 focused on recruitment at the high school level.
