Rec Center Renovation

The Pohl Rec Center opened its doors in Fall 2003 to a student body of just over 31,000. Twenty-two years later, our student body has grown by nearly 50%, and Rec Center visits are reaching almost half a million annually. The need for a larger, better space for wellness has never been more evident.

Today we’re excited to share that in early 2026, the Rec Center will begin a much needed and anticipated renovation project scheduled for completion by the start of Fall 2027.

Beginning in early January 2026, the leisure pool and spa will be permanently closed, and demolition will begin to add 20,000 square feet of dedicated fitness space across two levels. Members and students will continue to have access to the Rec Center and lap pool throughout the renovation but will temporarily lose access to the sand volleyball area and surrounding green space for project staging. Walkways and other areas, including the outdoor basketball court and Rec Center itself, may be periodically affected. 

We’ll do our best to minimize the areas affected and, whenever possible, communicate in advance through the Rec Sports app and our social media sites. Additional information and details, along with impact notifications and renovation updates, can be found on our website by visiting https://recsports.unt.edu/renovation. 

Although a project of this size will likely come with some bumps and bruises, our commitment to providing recreational experiences that support and inspire the UNT community will remain unwavering. We believe this renovation speaks to that commitment, and we’re excited to continue evolving and reshaping those experiences to support you, and all those who call UNT home, on your wellness journey. 

• Strength equipment
• Free weight area
• Functional training space - turf

• Cardio equipment
• Strength equipment
• Stretching area
• Spin studio
• Functional training space - open studio

• January 2026 ------------ Leisure pool and spa permanently close; demolition begins
• Mid 2026 ------------ Construction begins
• Fall 2027 ------------ Project completion scheduled by the start of Fall 2027 semester
  
  *Please note this timeline is a rough estimate and will likely change due to a variety of circumstances. Please check back regularly to keep up to date with the latest timeline estimate.

Yes! The Rec Center will remain open during the renovation project.

Yes! The Lap Pool will continue having open swim hours, and will be accessible during the renovation.