Students at North Lake Campus don’t have to go far to find a place to swim. The indoor swimming pool, also known as the natatorium, is located in Building S. It’s open year-round and available to both students and the public.
The pool is operated by the City of Irving and is the only active pool remaining in the Dallas College system. It offers a range of programs, including open swim sessions and instructional classes.
“We offer programs like aerobic swim lessons. We also do swim meets,” said Emma Valentine, head lifeguard at the facility.
The pool features eight lanes with both shallow and deep ends. Swimmers under the age of 12 must pass a swim test before they are allowed in the deep water.
“It’s open to the public, adults and children. You can pretty much just walk in on a daily basis if you want to swim. You just pay the initial fee, and then you can swim however long you want till we close,” said Valentine
Swimming lessons are offered for all age groups and skill levels, from infants to adults. For those interested in working as lifeguards, certification training is also available.
Irving Aquatics provides additional “Learn to Swim” classes tailored to specific groups. Women-only classes are offered in a supportive and quite environment. Lessons are also available for teens and adults, reinforcing the importance of swimming as a lifelong safety skill.
Safety remains a top priority for the team. Lifeguards and managers receive CPR and practical emergency training. “Not only that, but we also have swimming equipment for people that want to come. We offer life jackets as well,” said lifeguard Mejia.
Entry fees vary based on residency. Irving residents pay $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 4 to 17. Non-residents pay $5 for adults and $3 for children. Children under 4 and Irving residents over the age of 50 can swim for free.
The pool is open during the fall semester on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from 6 to 7 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the hours are 6 to 7 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday hours are noon to 4 p.m. The pool is closed on Sundays.
The North Lake pool remains a unique feature of the campus, offering both recreation and safety education to the community. To learn more or to register for classes, visit CityofIrving.org/Parks.
