Campus leadership weighs in on natatorium debate; urges students to share their voices

While some members of the community continue to ratchet up efforts to keep the natatorium an indoor swimming facility, students seem to be taking a more patient approach to the topic.

For the first month of the semester, most of the student population have been relatively quiet about their feelings toward the debilitated building, because they are waiting for alternative plans to surface before making up their minds.

“I want the students to have whatever facility on this campus they feel best meets their needs,” said Student Government Association President Brooke Dugas.

Dugas said student conversation about the natatorium will begin to heat up after the architect comes to present ideas for use of the space where the natatorium currently sits.

Architect Nick Middleton, the same architect who designed the new residence halls, is expected to return to campus within the first two weeks of October to present ideas at student forums.

Until the plans are presented, most students likely will not have an opinion because without knowing the options, there are no sides to take.

Even though students may be waiting to decide, some community members have been very vocal in their support of keeping an indoor swimming facility. A campaign was launched in the summer to “save the natatorium” in an effort to sway student opinion, but it’s a campaign that University President Nick Bruno said is “undermining” the students.

“When you start telling [students] what to do, they’re going to become angry,” said Bruno.

Bruno said the University gave the community until Dec. 1 to raise money and membership for the natatorium. So far, they have chosen to spend their money and time on things like a Facebook group, yard signs, t-shirts and advertisements.

The latest numbers reflect that community efforts to boost enrollment have yielded a grand total of 43 non-student memberships at the natatorium, a number that Bruno thinks needs improving if the community hopes to win their argument.

“I think it’s going to take many, many more than 43 members to have a significant impact on revenue,” said Bruno.

Even fewer students use the pool. On average, only 20 to 25 students use the building per week.

That number has some student leaders worried that fees are being wasted.

Ahmaad Solmone, a senior mass communication major from Hammond and SGA senator, said that to him, not enough students use the natatorium to keep it open.

“I don’t think an inside pool is relevant on a college campus because most people go to pools to hang out,” Solmone said.

Ben Young, a senior marketing major from Rayville and president of the Campus Activities Board, agreed with Solmone that students at ULM need a place to have fun on campus.

“There’s no place on campus people can hang out leisurely besides a dorm or study room,” Young said.

Opponents to the outdoor pool argue that people can only use it a few months out of the year, but Young said the addition of a recreation area along with the outdoor pool would make all the difference.

“If there was a recreation place, then people could use it all year,” Young said.

Both Young and Solmone support the idea of an outdoor pool along with a recreation center, but both said they would accept whatever decision the students make.

At least one student does support the idea of keeping an indoor pool.

Jasmine Newton, a senior prepharmacy major from Montgomery, La., said that while she likes the idea of an outdoor pool and activity center, if given the choice she would choose to renovate the natatorium.

“You can swim anywhere in the summer, but in the winter you always have the natatorium,” Newton said.

Community organizers maintain that a compromise can be reached so that everyone gets what they want. Organizers have made clear their plans to attend the forums and weigh in on the discussion.

Ultimately, students will have the final say as student fees will be used to pay for the building.

“[Students] have got to decide if we’re going to keep going like we’ve been going until [the natatorium] falls apart, or they may decide they’re not going to put any more money into a building they don’t use,” said Bruno.