The University of Idaho Swim Center will be closed for the duration of the summer as it undergoes a complete remodel, concentrating mainly on replacing the pools’ tile and gutters.
The center was built in 1970, and UI Architectural and Engineering Project Manager Daryle Faircloth said minor renovations have been done since its original construction, but nothing of this magnitude.
“The pools are going on 50 years,” Faircloth said. “Versus just keep putting Band-Aids on it, it was finally time to go ahead and pull the trigger and do the entire (facility).”
The facility is home to two 25-yard pools, an eight-lane, 25-yard competitive pool and a four-lane, 25-yard warm-up/teaching pool. It is used by various groups from the university and the surrounding community, but primarily by the UI Women’s Swimming and Diving program.
Faircloth said the project’s funding came through in July of last year, and that most of the changes will occur beneath the pool. He also said the updated tile will mirror the current tile.
“There aren’t going to be any significant, drastic changes, but I think it’ll shine a bit better … in all aspects it’s certainly needed,” Faircloth said. “It’s the kinds of things people don’t necessarily see in the pool that will be replaced.”
Despite putting his team out of commission for the summer, UI Women’s Swimming and Diving head coach Mark Sowa said he excited and grateful for UI’s decision to remodel the center.
Sowa said the pools’ “behind the scenes work” definitely in need of some updates, so his program was on board right away.
“Pools are interesting, they are almost like living organisms with a circulatory system, and like everything there is wear and tear on that, so we want to be able to continue to maintain a great facility not just for athletics, but for (UI and its surrounding community) … so there was a need to do this remodel,” Sowa said. “It’s tough to lose it for a bit, but sometimes you have to take one step back to take two steps forward.”
Sowa said the facility is already one of the best in the Western Athletic Conference, so he cannot wait to see the finished product.
Faircloth said construction begin May 8, with the draining of each pool. The construction period is scheduled for 90 days, plus a two-week contingency period, he said, and the remodel is expected to be complete Sept. 8., with the pool scheduled to be refilled Sept. 11-15. The Swim Center is scheduled to open September 18.
“I hope (people) recognize that we are trying to prolong the life of the pool … for another 50 years if we can,” Faircloth said.
Olivia Heersink can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @heersinkolivia