Indoor swimming pool to be completed early spring semester, was delayed by heavy rain Penn State Harrisburg - students will soon be able to enjoy a relaxing swim after class. This indoor swimming pool for students and members of the surrounding community is the latest campus improvement project. The pool will be attached to the Capital Union Building, to make use of the existing locker rooms. Right now it may just look like con crete and dirt, but sometime early next semester it will be a 9,000 square foot indoor pool area. The heated pool will be 25 yards long, have six lanes, and range in depth from four to six feet. The pool will also be handicapped accessible with a lift and ramp. According to Director of Business Services Edward Dankanich, the pool should be ready sometime in January 2004. "The heavy rain delayed the project a little, but we're caught up now," he said. "Everything is going according to plan." Once the actual construction is com plete, there will be other crucial steps to get the pool in operating condition, said Dankanich. "We will have to check all of the utilities and equipment and tweak out all of the systems. Then, of course, we will have to fill the pool and heat it up," he said. While the pool will make use of the existing locker rooms, modifications will be made. According to Dankanich, a "wet corridor" will be constructed leading from the locker rooms to the pool area. To do this, the gymnasium will be slightly modified. The bleachers along the locker room side of the basketball court will be pulled out closer to the court. This A view of the construction site for the simming pool, attached to the back of the Capital Union Building. The pool should be completed by sometime in January. By STEVE STANDRIDGE Photography Editor will allow room for the corridor. According to Dankanich, this will in no way affect the court space. The idea for the pool began years ago. According to Senior Director of Student Life and Enrollment Services Don Holtzman, the pool is a partner ship with five local municipalities: Middletown, Royalton, Highspire, Londonderry and Lower Swatara. "These municipalities were instru mental in getting the project moving and dealing with operating costs," Holtzman said. This is good news for students. Not one dollar came from tuition money, according to Holtzman. The pool was designed by an Allentown group called Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects, and advised by Counsilman/Hunsaker. These are the same minds behind the Olympic pool in Atlanta. Holtzman said a programming group is still working on the specifics of the pool's operation, and that every need is being considered. This will be a community pool as well. According to Holtzman, activities currently being considered for the new pool include senior therapy, exercise classes, lap swimming and free swim. Fees for public admission are curren ly undetermined, but Penn State stu dents will be admitted free of charge. Priority will also be given to students when it comes to pool employment and lifeguard positions. Holtzman said this is a complex proj ect, but that everyone involved is pulling their own weight. "We're all very excited. This whole project has been fun to watch." photo by Steve Standridge Illustration of what the pool will look like once completed. The planning illustration of what the C.U.B. will look like from the outside once the addition is completed.
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