Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, GA: What to Know Before You Go
The Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, GA is one of the city’s best-known swim facilities, especially if you’re interested in lap swimming, diving, or competitive aquatics. Built for the 1996 Olympic Games, it now serves Georgia Tech students, athletes, and—in some cases—the broader Atlanta community through programs and events.
This guide walks through where it is, how it’s used, what visitors can realistically expect, and how it compares to other aquatic options around Atlanta.
Where the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center Is Located
The Campus Recreation Center (CRC) and Georgia Tech Aquatic Center are on the Georgia Tech campus in Midtown Atlanta:
Address:
Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center / Aquatic Center
750 Ferst Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30318General Area: Midtown, just west of I‑75/85, near Northside Drive NW and 10th Street NW
Typical Nearby Landmarks: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Georgia Tech Student Center, and the Midtown business district
If you live or work in Midtown, the facility is especially convenient. For visitors, it’s relatively easy to reach from downtown Atlanta, West Midtown, and surrounding intown neighborhoods.
What the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center Includes
The Georgia Tech Aquatic Center is part of the larger Campus Recreation Center (CRC). Inside that complex, you’ll typically find:
Main Aquatic Features
Competition pool
- Olympic-size indoor pool used for Georgia Tech swimming and diving
- Multiple lanes for lap swimming
- Designed for college and club meets, time trials, and training
Diving well
- Platforms and springboards for 1-meter, 3-meter, and higher platforms
- Used by Georgia Tech’s diving program and visiting teams
Recreation and training spaces
- Areas designated for recreational lap swimming during certain hours
- Space sometimes reserved for swim lessons, clubs, and practices
Some Atlanta residents know this facility as the Olympic pool because of its history from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Today, it functions mainly as a university natatorium and training venue.
Who Can Use the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center?
The key thing Atlanta consumers want to know: Is the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center open to the public?
Access is generally structured around Georgia Tech affiliation and membership. While policies can change, the typical pattern is:
Primary Users
- Georgia Tech students
- Faculty and staff
- Georgia Tech athletic teams and club sports
- Registered CRC members (which can sometimes include eligible affiliates or sponsored individuals)
Public Access Considerations
For someone who just lives in Atlanta and is not affiliated with Georgia Tech:
- Walk‑in public access is not typically offered the same way as a city recreation pool.
- Use of the Aquatic Center usually requires CRC membership or being part of an approved program or event (for example, a swim meet hosted there).
- At times, there may be:
- Swim meets, invitationals, or championships that spectators from the public can attend
- Special events or camps run through Georgia Tech programs
If you are an Atlanta resident without a Georgia Tech connection, the Aquatic Center is usually more of an event venue you visit for competitions rather than a daily drop‑in swim option.
Typical Programs and Uses
While specific offerings vary by semester and season, the Aquatic Center is commonly used for:
1. Lap Swimming and Fitness
For those with access (students, members, and other permitted users), the facility supports:
- Lap lanes for regular training
- Early‑morning, mid‑day, or evening swim hours
- Conditioning for triathletes, competitive swimmers, and fitness swimmers
Lane availability can change daily based on team practices and events, so users usually need to check posted schedules through the CRC.
2. Georgia Tech Varsity and Club Sports
The Aquatic Center is a home venue for:
- Georgia Tech Swimming & Diving teams
- Club swim teams, intramural, and aquatic clubs
If you’re a prospective student or athlete considering Georgia Tech, this is the primary site for training and home meets.
3. Meets and Special Events
The facility often hosts:
- College swim and dive meets
- Age‑group and club swim meets
- Regional or championship events
These events can attract swimmers from across metro Atlanta and beyond. Local families with competitive swimmers may find themselves regularly visiting Georgia Tech for weekend meets.
Getting There: Parking and Transportation Tips
Because the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center is inside a college campus in Midtown, you’ll want to plan your trip a bit more carefully than you would for a neighborhood pool.
Driving and Parking
- Campus parking is generally managed through Georgia Tech parking facilities and may require payment.
- Event days (such as large meets) can mean busier lots and sometimes special event parking instructions.
- If you’re attending a meet, coaches or organizers usually provide parking details, lot names, and recommended entrances ahead of time.
Public Transit
If you prefer not to drive in Midtown traffic:
- MARTA rail stations nearby typically include North Avenue and Midtown Station, with Georgia Tech shuttles or short rideshares connecting you to campus.
- Several bus routes and campus shuttles serve the Georgia Tech area, which can be convenient for spectators or students.
Georgia Tech Aquatic Center vs. Other Atlanta Swimming Options
If you’re in Atlanta mainly looking for a place to swim, take lessons, or enjoy a casual pool day, it helps to understand how the Georgia Tech facility compares to other local choices.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Option | Main Use | Typical Access for General Public |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech Aquatic Center (CRC) | Competitive and fitness swimming | Mostly for GT students, staff, members, events |
| City of Atlanta pools | Recreation, lessons, summer swimming | Open to public with seasonal hours and fees |
| YMCA / private gyms | Fitness, family swim, lessons | Membership-based, sometimes day passes |
| Community club pools | Neighborhood and social use | Limited to members or residents |
For everyday public swimming in Atlanta, many residents rely on:
- City of Atlanta recreation centers and pools (for seasonal open swim and lessons)
- Metro Atlanta YMCAs and similar facilities with indoor pools
- Private gyms or neighborhood pools for regular lap swimming and family time
The Georgia Tech Aquatic Center stands out more as a high-performance, university-based facility rather than a public community pool.
When It Makes Sense to Go to the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center
The Aquatic Center can be especially relevant to you in Atlanta if:
- You’re a Georgia Tech student looking for a high-quality place to swim laps or train.
- You’re joining Georgia Tech faculty or staff and want aquatic fitness options.
- Your child swims on a club team that competes there, and you’ll be attending meets.
- You’re a prospective Georgia Tech athlete or student touring campus.
- You’re interested in seeing a high‑level aquatic facility with Olympic history during an organized event or visit.
For casual recreational swimming, sunbathing, or kids’ splash time, many Atlanta families instead choose:
- Neighborhood pools and swim/tennis clubs
- City of Atlanta outdoor pools in warmer months
- Indoor facilities at YMCAs or fitness centers
Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors and Residents
If you’re planning a visit to or event at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, a few general tips can help:
Confirm access before you go:
- Policies on who can use the pool, guest rules, and membership details are managed by the Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center.
- Event attendees (like swim parents) should rely on meet information sheets, team emails, or official event pages for the latest directions and rules.
Plan for campus navigation:
- Allow extra time for finding parking, walking across campus, and checking in if required.
- Large meets can mean longer lines, busier deck space, and more congestion around entrances.
Know what’s allowed on deck:
- Competitive events often have clear rules regarding coolers, chairs, cameras, and food in spectator areas.
- Athletes may have guidance on equipment, warm‑up procedures, and locker room use.
Think about Midtown traffic:
- Weekday rush hours and special events in Midtown Atlanta can affect travel time.
- Rideshare or MARTA can sometimes be simpler than driving and parking, especially for spectators.
The Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, GA is a premier aquatic venue anchored in the heart of Midtown, best suited for Georgia Tech users and organized events. For general public swimming, Atlanta residents often pair it with a broader mix of city pools, YMCAs, and neighborhood facilities—but for competitive aquatics and high‑level training, it remains one of the standout locations in the city.