2008 Woodie Awards
Pipe dream: Can the pool be saved?
Kyle Whitney
Issue date: 6/8/07 Section: Sports
Over the course of the year, numerous people submerge themselves in the chlorinated waters of the Northern Michigan University swimming pool. From all-age swim classes to a senior exercise program, the pool is a common gathering point for several varied groups of people.
It appears, however, that the end may be near for the 31-year old pool, which is located in the Physical Education Instructional Facility (PEIF).
"The pool is failing, slowly but surely," Jon Wilson, NMU women's swimming and diving head coach, said. "It's been failing for a while. As far as what's failing on it, it's hard to say. Nothing is on life support right now. It's just an old pool. It's a great facility, it's a great pool and it's 30 years old."
At this late point, said Wilson, the pool's infrastructure-the filtration and drainage systems that are lodged beneath the PEIF's aging tiles-could stop functioning at any time.
Adding to the problem is the fact that in the last three decades the requirements for competition pools have changed. The most drastic change may be that the pool must now be 60 inches deep at the starting blocks. NMU's starting blocks hang over only 48 inches of water.
The athletic department is currently taking steps to prolong the life of the pool, including spending $8000 on filters, which were purchased since the end of the winter semester.
"We'll be putting in between $10,000 and $15,000 this year as a band-aid, so to speak, to keep it going and everything like that," Godfrey said. "If we get into the major renovations then we would have to bring it up to code."
According to consultation that NMU has received, bringing the pool completely up to code could cost more than $2 million. The university feels that, in the long term, there are better solutions, including the possible construction of a new pool, said Godfrey, who added that the cost of a new pool may range from $6 million to $8 million, depending on amenities. That kind of money isn't easy to get, though, and the athletic department has been unable to seriously consider any long-term options at this point.
It appears, however, that the end may be near for the 31-year old pool, which is located in the Physical Education Instructional Facility (PEIF).
"The pool is failing, slowly but surely," Jon Wilson, NMU women's swimming and diving head coach, said. "It's been failing for a while. As far as what's failing on it, it's hard to say. Nothing is on life support right now. It's just an old pool. It's a great facility, it's a great pool and it's 30 years old."
At this late point, said Wilson, the pool's infrastructure-the filtration and drainage systems that are lodged beneath the PEIF's aging tiles-could stop functioning at any time.
Adding to the problem is the fact that in the last three decades the requirements for competition pools have changed. The most drastic change may be that the pool must now be 60 inches deep at the starting blocks. NMU's starting blocks hang over only 48 inches of water.
The athletic department is currently taking steps to prolong the life of the pool, including spending $8000 on filters, which were purchased since the end of the winter semester.
"We'll be putting in between $10,000 and $15,000 this year as a band-aid, so to speak, to keep it going and everything like that," Godfrey said. "If we get into the major renovations then we would have to bring it up to code."
According to consultation that NMU has received, bringing the pool completely up to code could cost more than $2 million. The university feels that, in the long term, there are better solutions, including the possible construction of a new pool, said Godfrey, who added that the cost of a new pool may range from $6 million to $8 million, depending on amenities. That kind of money isn't easy to get, though, and the athletic department has been unable to seriously consider any long-term options at this point.
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