The Don Cook Natatorium was named in honor of Donald David Cook. Don Cook spent much of his adult life volunteering his time and energy to benefit young people. He served on the Fort Bend Independent School District Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1991. Besides a strong commitment to the importance of an excellent education for all students, he was an avid swimmer and always felt an indoor pool would be an asset to the students of Fort Bend.
Opened in September
of 1998, it is a 39,000 square foot indoor facility with a 50 meters x 25 yards
880,000 gallon pool, which is 6’7” shallow.
It can be configured for either long course meters or short course yards
in either a side-to-side or end-to-bulkhead combination.
The diving end is 13.5 feet deep and has three one-meter maxi-flex
boards. There is also a warm-up / cool-down pool with three 25-yard lanes that holds 44,000 gallons and is
3’6” shallow. There is seating
for 780, and nearly 10,000 square feet of available deck space.
The
water quality is maintained using calcium hypo-chloride. The pH is
controlled using muriatic acid.
The natatorium uses a system produced by Colorado Time Systems, Inc. consisting of a Myriad Scoreboard, Colorado V timing system and 78" aqua-grip touchpads to ensure a quality meet. This system integrates with the Hy-Tek "Meet Manager" computer software to insure a professionally run meet and to enhance the spectator's meet experience.
Our
long-term renters include the First Colony Swim Team (a U.S. Swimming
affiliate), Sienna Plantation Aquatics (a U.S. Swimming affiliate),
and Sienna Plantation "School of Fish" (which offers a wide variety of aquatic classes to the
public). The Texas
Amateur-Athletic Federation, U.S. Masters Swimming, Special Olympics, Southwest
Houston Recreational Swim League, and Greater Houston YMCA League have
their regional championships here also.