Students have voted to close the Lake C. Oxford Natatorium permanently and instead prefer to build a new swimming complex in Bayou Park, according to straw poll election results released by the University.
Nearly 46 percent of the 1,200 votes cast were in favor of the Bayou Park project.
Twenty-eight percent voted to do nothing. Those wishing to renovate the natatorium finished last with nearly 27 percent, despite an aggressive campaign to save the natatorium that began in the summer.
The natatorium’s future came into question in July when the University decided to close the building because of reported low usage. Following an outcry from the community, the University and the Student Government Association decided to leave the building open for the fall semester until a new direction was determined.
Plans for the Bayou Park project include a small indoor pool, an outdoor pool, lazy river, island social area and an amphitheater.
Also on the ballot was a measure to turn the natatorium into an event center. That motion passed with about 57 percent of the vote.
The straw poll vote will be used to determine how to proceed in the future regarding the building, which was built in 1977 and is in need of serious repairs.
A referendum will likely be on the spring election ballot next April to adjust fees. An estimated 80 dollar fee increase is expected to pay for the Bayou Park plans.
Information regarding fees to renovate the natatorium into an event center were not immediately available.
The University originally planned to close the natatorium on Dec. 9. But community efforts have raised about 220,000 dollars to keep it open. It is unclear whether the pool will remain open during construction and paid for with those funds.
Community members have said that if the funds they raised are not used on the natatorium, they will be given to a charity or non-profit organization.
Be sure to check the Hawkeye for more updates and reactions to these developing events.
Out-of-State Warhawk • Dec 3, 2011 at 2:28 pm
I think there are many problems that need to be addressed here. One being students lack of caring. Clearly no one is too concerned with this school because if they really took advantage of what was here, the natatorium wouldn’t be faced with this problem in the first place. It is almost like no one cares about anything on campus. People throw their trash into our Bayou which should be the pride of this school. People brag about how poor their grades are. It seems to be just a way of life here. It doesn’t surprise me much that people didn’t care enough to vote.
Yes, most times the SGA does a wonderful job warning us about votes, but for homecoming. I noticed maybe one sign about the vote and it was up front where only dance department students are. No emails were actually sent out the week of the vote, it was all weeks ahead of time when busy students could easily forget. Also, I tried to vote on my computer because it is more reliable but I could not find the link so I had to resort to the app. Unfortunately, not everyone is very attentive to what the ULM app offers. I do not blame the SGA, it is a mixture of many problems.
Finally, I think students who voted for us to destroy Bayou Park simply didn’t think past, “Awesome! A water park!” If I had used that mentality I would not even be here because one of the schools I had been looking into has that. I do not know how many accidents occur there, but I can only imagine since this school has a reputation as a party school. Do we really want our students to put their lives in danger by consuming alcohol and then jumping in our facilities? Another obvious question is, if the natatorium is not being used now, what makes everyone think they will change after we build this new facility? It’s like that shirt you keep in your closet. You say you like it but do you ever actually wear it? Also, an excellent point that someone else posted is that its not warm enough to use it most of the time. It started to get pretty chilly here about a month and a half ago. And it won’t really be warm enough again until maybe April. So what does that leave-3 months of pool time? And in the spring it coincides with when students should be buckling down for finals again.
I have one final point that may not apply to everyone but it is what has me the most upset. We will be tearing up one of the most beautiful parts of campus. Let’s face it, not all of our buildings are very attractive, why shouldn’t we keep what we do have? When I first visited this school, what made me fall in love was the scenic beauty. I knew that I would have a good place to relax and catch some fresh air. Even study out there when the weather is nice. But now we won’t have that opportunity. And some may make the argument that there is the other side of the Bayou. Yes, that is there, but once we have swimming facilities (and if they are actually used) you will be able to hear people being loud from all over campus. We should be proud of the beauty our campus has to offer, is it really worth it?
Happy Student • Dec 5, 2011 at 12:00 am
Seriously no sign was up for the vote? There were bill boards everywhere with potentials signs up. There were plenty of signs. I mean you cannot force students to vote if they do not want to. That is the only bottom line. I am sorry some of yall are butt hurt because the Nat is closing but maybe if the campaign supporters of “Save the Nat” did not say it was not the students place to decide they may have got more support.
As for athletics, I voted to give them money. You want a better school you have to pay for it. Look stop bashing, you lost please get over that and bow out gracefully. The vote is over.
Really guys? • Dec 2, 2011 at 3:42 pm
How has this turned into an sga bashing? The plans were up with the votes. Students could vote on whether for something different and pay extra or keep what we have and pay only slightly more. If both plans were up, why is there an issue? The “Save the Nat” group bought billboards t-shirts, and made a Facebook group (which they added people to without their knowledge, myself included), but it wasn’t enough. The students have spoken. And if the community is so upset that we don’t “support them” in this, why don’t they show up to any athletic events, VAPA events, or anything else that goes on? Every student I am friends with loves it here and is trying to make this great University better. I am a proud Warhawk and want to see more of the good things I’ve seen since President Bruno arrived, but that is impossible with students, alumni, and members of the university always bashing what is going on. If you don’t like it, I’m sorry but that’s life. I personally voted for the athletic increase and although I was upset when it didn’t pass, I respected the choice made by my fellow students and did not rant on forums or in public where possible recruits were. Come on guys…just love your university and be happy with it.
Sincerely, A fEllow wArhawk
Truth Hurts. • Dec 2, 2011 at 2:56 pm
This SGA is very deceptive when it comes to elections. They are all run by the fraternities and do not have our best interests in mind. This is the same SGA that wanted us to pay an extra $120 a year so the football team can go out and all eat steaks. I have seen the athletic budget and its ridiculously wasteful. The SGA could do more to inform students, but you guys do the bare minimum enough to say that you informed the students, but not enough so that everyone knows. You should be ashamed.
Current Student • Dec 2, 2011 at 10:36 am
Like I stated in my previous post, students DO KNOW there is an election being held, they simply do not care. It’s so frustrating hearing people constantly critique the Student Government for “not informing students” especially regarding elections. Emails are sent out, yard signs are posted all over campus, campus election boards are put out, numerous SGA officials update stati via social media, and if that isn’t enough, there is a huge link on the homepage. If you go to the university and you aren’t aware there is an election going on, you must be living under a rock on campus. Old student: this is how many students always vote. So please don’t criticize the SGA. If you want to be frustrated with someone, be frustrated with the student body as a whole. If, in your opinion, the decision that was made does not accurately reflect the student body, then more students should have voted. However; they didn’t, and they never do. The SGA has done a superior job throughout this entire process regarding the future of the natatorium. They have kept the students informed; however it ultimately becomes the responsibility of the student to act on that information.
current student • Dec 1, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Such a pity… Now i have to pay more money for something else i will never use.. Its a shame that the community has raised over 200k and they will get nothing because of it.
My biggest complaint about a outdoor pool is you can only use the dang thing a few months out of the year!! Its only hot enough to use the pool during the first 2 months of fall and maybe 1 month of spring.. other than that its too dang cold to swim!! So this is a complete waste. I feel very sorry for the local swim teams that will now have to disband because of no place to swim. (because no one has an Olympic size pool)
I feel like this was a idea from a select student group that really has not done their homework.. Way to go.. ‘
Thanks, ULM
Concerned ULM parent • Dec 2, 2011 at 10:27 am
Here, here….very well said.
Current student • Dec 1, 2011 at 10:49 pm
While I agree only a small portion of students cast their vote, this is not out of the ordinary. The students knew about the vote, they simply don’t care. While it’a a poor reflection of the student body, it is not the responsibility of the SGA to make students cast their vote. If you want your voice to be heard, it is YOUR responsibility to vote. Sadly, most students are just uninterested in the affairs of the university.
Old Student • Dec 1, 2011 at 11:56 pm
It should be the responsibility of the SGA to inform the students there is a vote. Hiding the fact in the bottom of an email entitled “This Week’s Events in Student Life – 11/28” isn’t very helpful. How about just including Natatorium in the title?
MLP • Dec 1, 2011 at 10:15 pm
I could be the community leaders charity. 🙂
Old Student • Dec 1, 2011 at 10:10 pm
I couldn’t find the spring enrollment numbers but there were 8,858 students last fall. 1,200 students out of 8,800 students is not even 14%. How pitiful.
Of course, it would have helped had students truly known about the vote.