Two leading plans emerge for the future of the building

A crowd of community members and students filled the seventh floor of the library Monday to see two plans for the natatorium: one presented by the community that maintains a natatorium and one from an architect that changes the usage.

Community’s Plan

Chris Pealer, the executive director of the Northeast Louisiana YMCA, pitched the community’s plan for a renovated natatorium.

“Getting the natatorium back to its original condition is not even worth talking about. We need to go up and beyond,” said Pealer.

The community’s desired pool would keep a competition pool, add an outdoor pool, change the diving well into an exercise and therapy pool and add a lazy river.

The YMCA would actively target people like senior citizens in need of physical therapy and school children for summer camps so that pool usage would go up. Students will still be the primary focus for the building’s use.

What could be…

The second option was presented by university hired architect Nick Middleton, who has worked with ULM for eight years on projects such as the new dorms and apartments.

Middleton’s plan would completely revolutionize the current make up of the campus with the goal of tying it together and providing students with things to do. He said the natatorium does not meet those needs because it is in a “lost location.”

“Campuses are changing,” said Middleton. “Students want fun places to go for relaxation.”

His plan would change the natatorium into a student life center, complete with a movie theater, café, pool tables and lounges. A large open space where the lap pool currently is would change into a recreation area.

An outdoor pool would be built in Bayou Park, a move Middleton said would better tie the campus together and attract more students because it is located between the apartments, the dorms and the academic core of the campus.

The outdoor pool would have a heated 42,000 square foot lazy river, sun deck, cabana and island leisure areas. Though not presented at the meeting, Middleton said a small indoor pool for lap swimming will be in the final proposed plans.

Final proposals will be presented next month. A straw poll will be taken from the students to decide which proposal to go with.

Concerns raised

In order for the community’s plan to work, ULM would partner with the YMCA. They would manage the pool. Operation costs would be split between students and community members. Construction costs would be raised through bond sales, and student fees would pay the debt.

The community says their plans can be built for $2.8 million, $1.8 million for renovation and $1 million for the outdoor pool addition.

Questions arise from both these claims and about sustainability from such a plan.

“There is no way we can renovate that pool…for $1.8 million,” said ULM President Nick Bruno, going on to say that estimates for just the roof and chillers will cost $700 thousand.

Pealer was also questioned by audience members about potential usage numbers from the community. He said no studies have been conducted to show how many community people would use a pool.

The uncertainty raises questions about whether or not the community will be able give adequate support to the building once the students commit to a renovation.

Many objected to Middleton’s plans mainly for the change to an outdoor pool, with claims people could use it only a few months of the year.

Middleton’s plans did not have a cost estimate. Once final plans are proposed, an outside third party will review the options and make a cost analysis.

One more option

Bruno said a third option is also available. If the students take no action on either, the University would not be opposed to giving control to a non-profit like the YMCA.

He also said the University was not opposed to renovating the natatorium if the students decide that’s what they want.

Reactions

Reactions from the crowd varied on the plans. Pealer’s plans were largely welcomed by the community, who composed a majority of the audience.

They vehemently objected to Middleton’s plans, expressing anger about everything from changing the natatorium to the fact students were deciding the fate instead of members of the community.

Meanwhile, the students gathered in the audience listened patiently to everything that was presented and asked questions pertaining to usage and funding.

Candice Johnson, a junior kinesiology major from Keller, Texas, said the University needed a facility all students could use.

“If less than 10 percent of students are using that facility, then that is unacceptable. We need something that we’re going to benefit from in the future, and students can really appreciate [Middleton’s plan,]” she said.

Seth Hall, coordinator of orientation and special programs for ULM, echoed support for Middleton’s designs, saying the proposed facility would attract prospective students.

“I give campus tours all day. You can’t tell me that any student who sees {Middleton’s plan] wouldn’t be impressed by what ULM could offer them. If anyone was on the edge deciding where to go, this would push them to ULM,” Hall said.

Emi Mcintyre, a junior art major and lifeguard, was not convinced by Middleton’s plans, calling into question the legitimacy of reports saying the natatorium has low numbers.

“In the mornings on Monday, Wednesday, Friday every lane is full. If you come in at 6 a.m. its completely packed. And it’s not just elderly. The competition pool is used,” Mcintyre said.