Construction of a 75,000-square-foot aquatic center in south Dallas County is expected to begin in May.
According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, the estimated construction cost of the two-story McCowan Aquatic & Recreation Center is $43.2 million. Designed by SmithGroup of Dallas, the project’s delivery date is January 2026.
“As part of executing the master plan, DeSoto commissioned the construction of an aquatic and recreation center,” according to the city’s website. “The project features a full-scale indoor competition pool equipped with observation decks on the second level. Suspended above the first level is a roughly 400-foot fitness track for cardio workouts. The facility further boasts a fully equipped fitness area, as well as training studios for group activities.”
Called “a multigenerational facility,” the aquatic center is being built on South Uhl Road at Curtistene S. McCowan Park — a regional athletic complex for football. About 30% of the site is developed.
“The facility will consist of an 8-lane competitive pool, leisure pool, gyms, indoor track, fitness and strength training area, meeting rooms, and a social gathering space. The facility was designed to help the citizens of the DeSoto area connect and interact with each other and serve as a destination for competitive athletics,” reads the city’s website.
“The facility is being realized as part of a larger masterplan which includes other public and sports-related amenities including additional sports fields, an amphitheater, a sculpture garden, water features, and surrounding trails. … Nestled among soccer, baseball, and football fields, the McCowan Aquatic & Recreation Center offers city residents a fully functional gym and fitness experience.”
McCowan is part of a recreation system that includes 15 parks and trails in the Dallas suburb of about 56,000 people.
