Welcome to O'Connel Pool
The O’Connell Center Pool is located on the lower level of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center between Gates 2 and 3. This indoor facility boasts an 8 lane Olympic size pool (50 meters) that can be divided into two 25 yard sections or two 25 meter sections.
The pool deck provides access to locker room facilities. The pool is also accessible by an aquatic lift to assist swimmers with disabilities.
Access
- Patrons must present a valid student, faculty, staff or spouse/partner Gator 1 Card to enter the pools.
- Hours are subject to change for holidays, breaks when school is not in session, Gator football home games, maintenance, etc.
- Hours Subject to change due to weather. Click here for RecSports hours of operation
These policies were created and approved by the Board of Directors, RecSports administration and Student Affairs at the University of Florida.Over 90% of our department’s budget is funded by Student Government through A&S fees paid by current students. Certain services, such as Personal Training, Massage Therapy, Nutrition Services, Outdoor Trips, and the UF Outdoor Team Challenge Courses, are auxiliary services in which fees are charged to all participants, including students.
These policies protect the interests of fee-paying students. UF students, staff and faculty are members of the RecSports Board of Directors that approve these policies. Click below to view our policies.
- Pool use is limited to the UF swim team, registered UF classes, the Gator Swim Club program, and recreational swimming hosted by the Department of Recreational Sports. Any exceptions must be approved by the O’Connell Center Director or his/her designee.
- During recreational swim hours, a Recreational Sports membership or a day pass is required for access.
- Guests must be sponsored by a valid GatorONE holder and be at least 18 years old to be eligible for a day pass.
- Swimmers may enter the pool area only when a lifeguard is on duty.
- Swimmers must shower before entering the pool.
- Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted in the pool or on the pool deck.
- Inappropriate behavior is prohibited in the pool and pool area.
- Animals, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed in the pool areas. No animals are permitted in the pool at any time.
- Swimmers may enter and exit through the men’s or women’s locker rooms. If there is a special event, all entry and exit will be through the pool deck glass door, located at Gate 3 adjacent to the Bill Harlan Swim Team Meeting Facility.
- Scuba gear is prohibited in the pool, unless approved in writing by the O’Connell Center Director or his/her designee.
- Swimming between the bulkheads is not permitted.
- Only members of the University of Florida’s Swimming and Diving team (under proper supervision of the UF Coaching staff) are permitted to dive from the diving boards or the 5 and 10 meter platforms. No diving is allowed when both bulkheads are positioned under the boards and diving is allowed only when the lane ropes and backstroke flags are removed.
- The University Athletic Association diving team practice is not allowed during classes or recreational swimming hours unless approved through UF RecSports
- Bathing suits must be worn by all swimmers. Shorts of any kind are prohibited in the pool.
- Swimmers in the lane must be notified and moved before the lane line is removed and the lane is opened for the use of divers.
- Pool capacity for swimmers is 229 and the pool deck’s capacity is 435.
- Recreational hours are administered by the Department of Recreational Sports and funded by Student Government.
