Spieker Aquatics Complex has recently undergone a renovation that has modernized the historic venue and improved the atmosphere for student-athletes and fans alike.
 
The process began late last summer with a complete re-plastering of the pool. The result was a refurbished pool worthy of the elite Golden Bears who practice and compete nearly every day in swimming and water polo, as well as for the hundreds of students and Recreational Sports members who also use the facility for lap swim and other aquatic activities.
 
Then, just before the spring semester events got underway, a further transformation took place around the pool deck that enhances the student-athletes and event-day experience. Among the updated and new amenities are an enhanced scoreboard, Cal Aquatics branding and signage, a refinished Olympian wall, and a complete replacement of the seating area to benefit fans for all four programs.
  "There are very few venues in America that have as much water polo history as Spieker," said women's water polo head coach Coralie Simmons. "The recent updates add glamour and innovation to an already amazing arena."
 
To give visitors a better view of the action, both swim meets and water polo matches have moved to the south end of the facility, putting the new bleachers directly above the competition area and creating a more intimate environment that should give the Bears an even stronger home pool advantage.
 
"We had the chance to swim a few dual meets with the new configuration at the end of the season and having the fans right there in front of the pool was great," men's swimming & diving head coach David Durden said. "The new stands and scoreboard add a lot to the facility and will help us continue to create a great home atmosphere at Spieker."
 
Together, Cal's men's and women's swimming & diving and water polo teams have combined for 23 NCAA team championships and 114 Olympic medals. As of March 14, all four programs are ranked in among the nation's top 3 for the 2017-18 seasons: men's swimming & diving – 1st; women's swimming & diving – 2nd; men's water polo – 3rd; and women's water polo – 1st.