Drains to be replaced over break
Mark Hensch
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: News
The Roche Sports Complex swimming pool closed yesterday for drain replacements, and will reopen March 26.
"We tried making the closing as close as possible to spring break for the sake of the students, faculty and patrons," said Rita Jenkins, Hillsdale College's aquatics director.
"There is no truly good time to close the pool," she said. "Yet, we are not looking at this closing negatively, we are just getting it done."
Jenkins said that despite the inconvenience, closing the pool is necessary because the current drains have immense suction, which endangers swimmers. She said state safety regulations required workers to replace drain covers at the bottom of the pool.
"All public pools in Michigan are working towards complying with these safety measures," she said.
As a result of the closing, Jenkins said that one scuba class, one water aerobics class, and two swim fitness classes have been cancelled.
Furthermore, she said, various community swim lessons have been moved around and lifeguards normally on duty during the hours the pool is closed will earn smaller paychecks.
Head swim coach Kurt Kirner said the closing comes at an ideal time as it does not interfere with swim team practices or events. He said the pool will now be safer than ever and he hopes students will be ready to swim once spring break ends.
"By doing these changes in our time frame everyone at Hillsdale has been disrupted as little as possible," Kirner said. "This is in reality just a tiny blip."
"We tried making the closing as close as possible to spring break for the sake of the students, faculty and patrons," said Rita Jenkins, Hillsdale College's aquatics director.
"There is no truly good time to close the pool," she said. "Yet, we are not looking at this closing negatively, we are just getting it done."
Jenkins said that despite the inconvenience, closing the pool is necessary because the current drains have immense suction, which endangers swimmers. She said state safety regulations required workers to replace drain covers at the bottom of the pool.
"All public pools in Michigan are working towards complying with these safety measures," she said.
As a result of the closing, Jenkins said that one scuba class, one water aerobics class, and two swim fitness classes have been cancelled.
Furthermore, she said, various community swim lessons have been moved around and lifeguards normally on duty during the hours the pool is closed will earn smaller paychecks.
Head swim coach Kurt Kirner said the closing comes at an ideal time as it does not interfere with swim team practices or events. He said the pool will now be safer than ever and he hopes students will be ready to swim once spring break ends.
"By doing these changes in our time frame everyone at Hillsdale has been disrupted as little as possible," Kirner said. "This is in reality just a tiny blip."
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