Pool closure creates concern
by Anya Bergman
Associate Editor
News | 11/18/08
Posted online at 5:12 AM EST on 11/18/08
Many alumni have written in e-mails to administrators about how much the swimming and diving team influenced their lives.
"Some of the most important experiences and memories of Brandeis come from my time with the team. … I dread the possibility that future Brandeis students will not have the opportunities that I had to train, compete and grow with the swim team," former swimmer Ariel Ahram '01 wrote in an e-mail to administrators.
In response e-mails to team supporters, Reinharz and Miles wrote that the "global economic situation" has created "serious financial obstacles for institutions everywhere."
"To deal with these unprecedented financial challenges, the University will remain focused, and accordingly, like most other institutions, we must defer some of our projects-including our long term hope to build a new, competitive swimming facility for our athletes and others to enjoy," Reinharz and Miles wrote in their e-mails.
Phillips said the pool could potentially be useable just by fixing the water filtration system. He said Clark replaced its entire water filtration system for about $50,000 in 2002.
Zotz explained that the in the past, the University has faced the decision of whether to put money into renovations or wait to completely replace the pool later.
He said that in the mid-1980s the University made plans to build the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, with a new pool officially part of the $24 million plan.
He said athletics administrators asked him whether it would be OK to hold off on building the pool in order to make a nicer gym facility, and he agreed at the time. He said he believes that the Gosman project ended up finishing $3 million under budget.
In 1991 Zotz said the pool was again part of a plan to update sports facilities.
He said that prior to this time, Joseph Linsey had pledged a donation to be disbursed upon his passing, and the Lou and Lutza Smith family had pledged to donate money that would go toward renovations or be used toward the building of a new pool.
"Some of the most important experiences and memories of Brandeis come from my time with the team. … I dread the possibility that future Brandeis students will not have the opportunities that I had to train, compete and grow with the swim team," former swimmer Ariel Ahram '01 wrote in an e-mail to administrators.
In response e-mails to team supporters, Reinharz and Miles wrote that the "global economic situation" has created "serious financial obstacles for institutions everywhere."
"To deal with these unprecedented financial challenges, the University will remain focused, and accordingly, like most other institutions, we must defer some of our projects-including our long term hope to build a new, competitive swimming facility for our athletes and others to enjoy," Reinharz and Miles wrote in their e-mails.
Phillips said the pool could potentially be useable just by fixing the water filtration system. He said Clark replaced its entire water filtration system for about $50,000 in 2002.
Zotz explained that the in the past, the University has faced the decision of whether to put money into renovations or wait to completely replace the pool later.
He said that in the mid-1980s the University made plans to build the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, with a new pool officially part of the $24 million plan.
He said athletics administrators asked him whether it would be OK to hold off on building the pool in order to make a nicer gym facility, and he agreed at the time. He said he believes that the Gosman project ended up finishing $3 million under budget.
In 1991 Zotz said the pool was again part of a plan to update sports facilities.
He said that prior to this time, Joseph Linsey had pledged a donation to be disbursed upon his passing, and the Lou and Lutza Smith family had pledged to donate money that would go toward renovations or be used toward the building of a new pool.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jesse Lipnick
posted 11/23/08 @ 3:30 PM EST
Thanks for all of your efforts. I swam at Brandeis from 1981 thru 1985 and my experience there shaped my life. I learned to push myself to new achievement. (Continued…)
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