Canham Natatorium 500 E Hoover Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3715
Google Directions/Map

From Detroit Metro Airport and points east: Take I-94 west to State Street (exit 177). Turn right. Travel north approximately 2 1/4 miles through two stoplights. Turn left just past Yost Ice Arena into parking lot. Canham Natatorium is located at the northwest end of the parking lot, next to the Intramural Sports Building. Canham Natatorium is also accessible from Hoover Street.

From Chicago and points west: Take I-94 east to State Street (exit 177). Turn left. Travel north approximately 2 1/4 miles through three stoplights. Turn left just past Yost Ice Arena into parking lot. Canham Natatorium is located at the northwest end of the parking lot, next to the Intramural Sports Building. Canham Natatorium is also accessible from Hoover Street.

From Toledo and points south: Take U.S. 23 north to I-94 west. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.

From Flint and points north: Take U.S. 23 south to I-94 west. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.

The University of Michigan continues its commitment to athletic excellence with the Donald B. Canham Natatorium, home of the Michigan swimming and diving teams and the men and women's water polo teams. Considered one of the finest college-owned swimming and diving facilities in the nation when it was constructed in 1988, a renovation in 1998 returned the facility to its original grandeur if not surpassing it.

The 59,000-square foot facility houses a 50-meter pool, eight lanes wide, that can be divided into two separate 25-yard pools by movable bulkheads. The Dick Kimball Diving Pool, located at the west end of the facility, features an Olympic Tower, one- and three-meter springboards, and a hot tub. On the east end of the mezzanine level is one of two full-service training rooms on the U-M athletic campus, which includes physical therapy modalities, a cast room, running pool and physician examination rooms. One of Michigan's three weight training and conditioning facilities is also located in the natatorium.

Completed in 1988 at a cost of approximately $8.5 million, Canham Natatorium underwent comprehensive renovations in 1998 to ensure its presence well into the 21st century. A new roofing system was installed, while the ventilation system was revised to reflect greater concern for the health of athletes. Both pools have new filtration equipment and piping that is totally resistant to corrosion. In addition, ceramic tile was installed on the interior of both pools, creating an environment that is more conducive to faster swimming, as well as more precise diving. Finally, a state-of-the-art lighting system for the competition pool area was installed, permitting lighting levels to be adjusted based upon the level of activity in competition.

The natatorium is named for former Michigan athletic director Don Canham, who retired from his post in June 1988. Canham was an NCAA high jump champion for Michigan in 1940 and went on to coach the men's track and field team before becoming Michigan's fifth athletic director in 1968.

In 2002 Michigan dedicated the diving pool in Canham Natatorium to legendary diving coach Dick Kimball, who retired after the season following 43 years of service to the university. Kimball, who was himself a world-class diver for the Wolverines in the late 1950s, coached nine Olympic medalists and tutored five NCAA Champions in his career. Kimball's divers also collected a record 33 Big Ten Conference trophies.

Designed for Michigan athletes, the natatorium is available to U-M student-athletes at all times, year-round. As a result, the swimming and diving coaching staffs are able to develop training programs around individual academic schedules, allowing student-athletes to pursue any educational opportunity without interfering with scheduled workouts.

Beginning in 1991 another Michigan team began calling the natatorium home: the men's water polo team. On Nov. 10, 1991, Michigan played and won its first home matches against the club teams of Michigan State and Miami (Ohio). Since the team's early success they have gone on to win six Big Ten Championships and three National Championships.