The UCLA Athletic Department announced the construction of the Spieker Aquatic Center which is projected to begin summer of 2007.

The facility, which includes a 52-meter, 25-yard deep-water pool and diving well (1m/3m boards, 5m/10m tower), will be spearheaded by lead donor and former Bruin All-American Tod Spieker (and wife Catherine).

Tod is the President of Spieker Companies, a multi-family and apartment complex company located in Palo Alto, CA. Spieker continues to compete in the Master's swim program, and was inducted into the International Master's Swimming Hall of Fame in 2005. The Spieker family gift is currently the second largest donation in UCLA Athletics' history.

"Catherine and I are very pleased to make the lead gift for the new Aquatic Center to benefit UCLA's Aquatic programs," said Spieker. "Quite frankly, it was an easy decision for us to make this gift. The benefits I received as a student-athlete at UCLA have assisted me throughout my adult life. Now that we are in a position to give back, we want to see those same benefits provided for current and future Bruin student-athletes. The Aquatic Center will allow UCLA to compete at the highest intercollegiate level."

"Quite frankly, it was an easy decision for us to make this gift. The benefits I received as a student-athlete at UCLA have assisted me throughout my adult life. Now that we are in a position to give back, we want to see those same benefits provided for current and future Bruin student-athletes. The aquatic center will allow UCLA to compete at the highest intercollegiate level."

In making the announcement, UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero and his staff are thrilled that the long-time vision and planning has finally become reality. "We are thrilled with the opportunity to make such a wonderful announcement. That our women's swim team has remained nationally competitive while using a pool built for the 1932 Olympics is incredible. Even more remarkable are the achievements of both water polo programs. This new venue, designed specifically for intercollegiate athletic competition, will allow the UCLA Swimming, Diving and Water Polo programs to fulfill their unlimited potential. UCLA is about champions and championships, and this was an important and necessary step to insure future success. We are thankful for Tod and Catherine's lead gift and for making our dream come true." Guerrero said.

The Spieker Aquatic Center includes a clubhouse with locker rooms, coaches' offices and meeting rooms. The lighted facility will hold 800 spectators in the permanent grandstand and an additional 1,700 spectators in temporary seating.

In order to make room for the construction of the facility, the tennis courts adjacent to Sunset Canyon will be removed. However, two new tennis courts will be added on the east-west orientation of the Spieker Aquatic Center. The basketball courts adjacent to Sunset Village will also be removed. Recreational aquatic programming will move to the Sunset Canyon pool. Quoting Senior Associate Athletic Director Ken Weiner:

"There is definitely a need for water," Weiner said. "If you go up to Sunset (Canyon), you can see a battle between the recreational department and swimmers. It's not pretty."

Women's coach Cyndi Gallagher added, "We are very elated about the prospect of having a 50-meter pool dedicated to intercollegiate athletics on our campus. We are looking forward to the many, many opportunities the new swimming and diving center can bring to the aquatic sports at UCLA and are appreciative of the donors that are making this a reality."

The facility should prove a recruiting boon to the Bruins who lack a men's program. Water Polo coach Adam Krikorian explained to The Daily Bruinthe creative process of selling the Sunset pool:

"In the past, we've spoken about Sunset (Canyon) as a beautiful area, but we didn't talk about the pool; we talked about the location," Krikorian said. "Now we can do both. In terms of recruiting, who wouldn't want to play in one of the greatest facilities in the country?

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