2008 Woodie Awards
Pool renovations contribute to aquatic sports demise
By Randy Klins
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/3/06 Section: Sports
Everyone at Slippery Rock University that has heard about the eight sports cuts knows that the decision was mainly a financial one.
However, many of those people don't know that there were other factors involved in the cutting of the varsity aquatic sports programs.
SRU Athletic Director Paul Lueken said the cutting of the water sport programs was mainly a financial decision, but the condition of the pool was another reason taken into account.
"The pool had an impact," Lueken said. "There were some issues with it."
The facility's primary need is a new air handling system, which would cost more than $1 million.
Lueken said the pool has a number of structural problems, one being the ceiling. In addition to the ceiling falling over, it's filled with asbestos. Each problem would cause for additional spending.
The pool area is dark, so box lights were installed a couple years ago to supplement the old lighting system.
In addition, the marble pool deck has been repaired several times over the years due to movement of the concrete below the surface.
"Out of the athletic facilities it was the one that needed the most work," Lueken said.
Walking into the pool area, anyone can see that there are issues. However, some athletes feel that the condition of the pool shouldn't have been a factor in the decision.
"Personally I think the pool does need some work on it," senior water polo player Glenn Reepmeyer said. "But it is our pool and we make it work."
Senior co-captain of the swimming team Troy Kroll agrees.
"It is a fact that that heating and AC of the pool is a problem along with the roof," Kroll said. "But the pool itself, it is in perfect condition. It is still useable."
Herb Carlson, the Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Planning said it's not essential to make a full-blown repair at this moment. However it becomes a financial issue in the future. He said it is currently an issue with several other buildings on campus.
However, many of those people don't know that there were other factors involved in the cutting of the varsity aquatic sports programs.
SRU Athletic Director Paul Lueken said the cutting of the water sport programs was mainly a financial decision, but the condition of the pool was another reason taken into account.
"The pool had an impact," Lueken said. "There were some issues with it."
The facility's primary need is a new air handling system, which would cost more than $1 million.
Lueken said the pool has a number of structural problems, one being the ceiling. In addition to the ceiling falling over, it's filled with asbestos. Each problem would cause for additional spending.
The pool area is dark, so box lights were installed a couple years ago to supplement the old lighting system.
In addition, the marble pool deck has been repaired several times over the years due to movement of the concrete below the surface.
"Out of the athletic facilities it was the one that needed the most work," Lueken said.
Walking into the pool area, anyone can see that there are issues. However, some athletes feel that the condition of the pool shouldn't have been a factor in the decision.
"Personally I think the pool does need some work on it," senior water polo player Glenn Reepmeyer said. "But it is our pool and we make it work."
Senior co-captain of the swimming team Troy Kroll agrees.
"It is a fact that that heating and AC of the pool is a problem along with the roof," Kroll said. "But the pool itself, it is in perfect condition. It is still useable."
Herb Carlson, the Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Planning said it's not essential to make a full-blown repair at this moment. However it becomes a financial issue in the future. He said it is currently an issue with several other buildings on campus.
