An Aquatic Center Fit for Olympians

The Soderholm Family Aquatic Center has significantly improved the experiences of UW–Madison student-athletes, coaches, and visitors. Nathan Herde

When it opened in 2020, the Nicholas Recreation Center offered something UW–Madison had never had before: an Olympic-class swimming and diving facility. The Soderholm Family Aquatic Center has significantly improved the experiences of UW–Madison student-athletes, coaches, and visitors alike.

Total construction costs came to approximately $96 million, with operation and maintenance expenses shared equally between University Recreation & Wellbeing and the Department of Athletics. Without the visionary support of generous alumni like Joe ’76, MBA’77 and Stacy ’86 Soderholm, none of this would have been possible. The Soderholms raised three daughters — Abby ’11, Becca, and Chelsea — who all swam competitively throughout the Midwest in high school and college, and they have been long acquainted with what’s necessary for a worthy natatorium.

“When the opportunity came to donate to the new aquatic center, Stacy and I knew we wanted to help,” says Joe. “We realized how much this would impact current swim families as well as future swimmers. We also knew it would be a great asset to the university.”

The state-of-the-art facility is home to the UW–Madison swimming and diving teams. The Olympic-sized, 50-meter pool can be converted into different configurations and includes a 25-yard diving well. With seating for up to 1,200 spectators, the Soderholm Center is also ideal for hosting Big Ten Conference meets and NCAA diving events.

Two-time Olympian Phoebe Bacon ’25 believes that the high-performance aquatic center played a major role in her training. “If we just had the Nat [Natatorium, demolished in 2020], it would definitely have been hard for me to get the long-course training that I really need and love,” she says.

As Badgers and lifelong Midwesterners, the Soderholms are honored to be a part of the expansion and modernization of competitive spaces for UW swimmers and fans. “The University of Wisconsin–Madison will always be a special place for us,” Stacy says. “We hope that this pool is enjoyed by many people in the years to come.”

Published in the Summer 2025 issue