Pool to re-open in February
By: Xiaoxi Wan
Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: News
Eastern New Mexico University students will soon get a chance to start swimming again in the newly renovated natatorium.
Since the natatorium closed during spring term last year, the completion date has been a mystery. The completion was scheduled for last fall, but a delay occurred due to a new federal law that governs the drain and grating systems in pools, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009.
"The new grate systems had not yet been built by many vendors around the country so we had a delay in obtaining one," Vice President of Business Affairs Scott Smart said, "and we have to wait for the New Mexico inspectors to approve the new system. After we get the grate and final inspection, we will be approved to re-open the pool around February first."
The final cost on this project will be about $2.4 million, exceeding the original $2 million budget. Most of the money has been spent on the cooling and heating system, a new roof, windows and paint.
"We wanted to replace the tile on the entire interior of the pool but did not have enough funds to do so, so we cleaned up and regrouted the tile in and around the pool. We have also painted all the locker rooms and offices within the facility," said Smart.
Most parts of the renovation's have already been done. "It's different from the building renovations, maybe you can't see many changes directly when you come into the natatorium, but you will feel more comfortable and enjoy the nice and warm water," the mechanical foreman of this project Ray Nations said.
Since the natatorium closed during spring term last year, the completion date has been a mystery. The completion was scheduled for last fall, but a delay occurred due to a new federal law that governs the drain and grating systems in pools, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009.
"The new grate systems had not yet been built by many vendors around the country so we had a delay in obtaining one," Vice President of Business Affairs Scott Smart said, "and we have to wait for the New Mexico inspectors to approve the new system. After we get the grate and final inspection, we will be approved to re-open the pool around February first."
The final cost on this project will be about $2.4 million, exceeding the original $2 million budget. Most of the money has been spent on the cooling and heating system, a new roof, windows and paint.
"We wanted to replace the tile on the entire interior of the pool but did not have enough funds to do so, so we cleaned up and regrouted the tile in and around the pool. We have also painted all the locker rooms and offices within the facility," said Smart.
Most parts of the renovation's have already been done. "It's different from the building renovations, maybe you can't see many changes directly when you come into the natatorium, but you will feel more comfortable and enjoy the nice and warm water," the mechanical foreman of this project Ray Nations said.