Although the pool at the Physical Education Center has been causing swimmers health problems and leaking for an indefinite number of years, there are currently no plans for a new pool in the Scot Center.
In 2008, Head Swimming Coach Rob Harrington had a hunch that the pool was leaking. He enlisted the aid of swimmer and math major Denise Koessler ’08 to determine whether his hunch was correct and if so, how much water was being wasted.
Using a series of mathematical calculations, Koessler determined that the pool was leaking approximately 10,000 gallons per month.
Bogner Construction Management Co., the company that is constructing the upcoming Scot Center, also reviewed the P.E.C.†† during preliminary infrastructure work this summer. They discovered that the automatic fill system had masked some of the leaking, so Koessler’s estimate was inaccurate.
As of June 2010, Bogner determined that the pool was actually leaking at a rate of 12,000 gallons per day.
Accoording to Associate Vice President John Hopkins, the problem was addressed and the leakage stopped in mid-August.
The Timken Natatorium was first constructed 30 years ago and has since been utilized for a huge variety of groups, including varsity swimming and diving, Ida Sue Schools, YMCA, summer programs and many other groups upon request.
But until last summer, the administration has not done large-scale repairs to the Timken Natatorium. The pool has been leaking for an undetermined number of years, possibly spreading toxic water into the surrounding ecosystem.
Alyssa Getta ’11, the President of Greenhouse, an environmental advocacy group on campus, explained that treated water can have a range of negative effects on the environment, especially if the water joins with river systems. Chlorinated water can do everything from drying up soil to killing plants to affecting the respiratory systems of humans and animals alike.
Another significant environmental issue, Getta explained, is actually the amount of energy needed to constantly provide clean water to keep the pool filled. True, water is a renewable resource, but the water treatment process is extremely energy-intensive.
“Leaks do add up,” Getta said. “You leave your faucet on for a minute and a gallon of water is already wasted.”
However, the problems with the pool are not limited to leaks. Last year, a chlorine imbalance caused the pool to turn green with bacteria, though Harrington explained chlorine levels have consistently been within the State of Ohio’s legal operating limits.
“For the most part I think they were fine,” Harrington said, though he admitted that some swimmers did complain about the problem.
Athletic Director Keith Beckett explained that the pool is tested several times daily for pH levels and chlorine. “At any time sanitation levels are not appropriate to kill bacteria, the pool was and is closed,” he stated.
Beckett added that humans vary in their level of acceptance of chemicals such as free chlorine.
This semester the pool also experienced heating problems, which have been fixed.
Other problems have cropped up over the years as well. Approximately 75 percent of the pool’s valves, drains and pipes had to be replaced over the summer and new filters were installed just this week. Problems with the piping have caused rust to contaminate the pool, turning it cloudy and green.
These issues have also forced the team to hold practices at other pools in the city of Wooster.
“The swim team had to swim their family weekend dual meet against Wittenberg at Wooster High School. It was embarrassing that we could not host our main rivals during family weekend in our own swim pool,” explained swimmer Adel El-Adawy ’11.
Members of the College’s swim team have expressed a variety of other concerns on the subject.
“Not getting a pool in the new Scot Center has put us behind our competitors in our conference,” El-Adawy said. He also explained that Wooster’s main swimming competitors have better pools, which may be affecting the team’s recruiting process.
Pool water should be 78-79 degrees for swim practice. But two years ago, the water might jump from 73 degrees one day to a sweltering 86 the next.
“I, as well as most other swimmers, have trouble breathing during practice on a regular basis,” said Jeremy Bervoets ’11. “Even during the coldest days of winter we have to keep the doors open so there is decent ventilation.”
Team members have also had burning eyes and acquired staph infections.
One swimmer even lost eyebrows and arm hair because of the increased amounts of chlorine needed to keep the pool at regulatory standards.
“When a problem happens with the pool now whether it is about the cleanliness of the water, temperature, color or anything else, we don’t really react anymore, because honestly we are so used to it,” said swimmer Elizabeth Zucco ’11.
Although the pool has been repaired, the question remains whether the fix will last. As of now, there are no plans for a new pool in the upcoming Scot Center.
El-Adawy agreed. “The swim team, campus community and Wooster community at large would benefit from a new pool. I hope future Wooster generations will witness the day where they get to swim in a new Wooster swim pool ó the question is, when will this happen?”
“I am very excited about the Scot Center and all that it will offer to our entire campus community,” explained Beckett. However, “while many, myself included, look forward to and are anxious for the phase that will provide a new natatorium for the College, it would be premature to speculate or roll out our wish list before requested by the officers of the College.”
Part of the problem revolves around available funds. “There are many variables and design features that would dictate the cost for a new natatorium Ö a rough estimate would be no less than $10 million,” Beckett said.
With this staggering estimate in mind, it’s hard to determine whether or not an entirely new pool is justifiable. Granted, there have been many issues in the past ó issues that have affected the school’s wallet, the swimmers and the environment. But for the most part these have been resolved.
“We do the best with what we have,” said Coach Harrington.