Joe Perkins Natatorium: Holding Water for 55 Yrs.

[mustangxc]

See I would not just move Perkins, I would move the outer pool as well. I think if we consolidate all of our athletics complexes on the other side it could really bring unity and give that side of Central a ton of SMU flavor as well.

[Water Pony]

See I would not just move Perkins, I would move the outer pool as well. I think if we consolidate all of our athletics complexes on the other side it could really bring unity and give that side of Central a ton of SMU flavor as well.

I like the idea but that will require a lot of land, which would need to hold a Fieldhouse sized IPF (perhaps with an indoor track, ala Vanderbilt's new facility) and a large Natatorium. If you added an outdoor pool too that necessitate that the proposed aquatic center have a 50% larger footprint.

While you are at it, we could use another intramural field for students and other club sports.

Impressive, but the real estate costs would be huge.

[PoconoPony]

Turner covets the current site of Perkins Nat for an alum/reception center in the middle of the campus. I actually agree that would be the most presentable and best use of the space. Biggest problem was that the PE political forces absolutely resisted and fought to prevent the pool from being relocated to the PE center when it was constructed. Original plans would have had beautiful pool, diving complex...etc. as part of the center. PE did not want to share the pool with competitive swimming. Pool could have been 50 meters with a bulk head and PE using 1/2 half of the pool at any time including during competitive practice time. This is one time SMU's President should have cut through the BS and handled the situation. Now they will need to spend 4 times the money and find another location if swimming is to survive.

[hglanz17/60]

FYI - Perkins Gym became Perkins Natatorium before 1959 but I am not sure of the exact year. I was already swimming there in 1958 on the freshman swimming team. As a grad student, I taught swimming classes there in 1978, and I also had the pleasure of swimming in a masters meet there around 2006. But it is time we moved up in swimming again in a new facility, so I am not sad to see it go, but encouraged.

[TidePony]

Where do the athletes that participate in field events (shot put, etc.) practice? The reason I'm asking is because a boy I know who is being recruited for Swimming said the new pool might be housed in that spot.

[Water Pony]

Where do the athletes that participate in field events (shot put, etc.) practice? The reason I'm asking is because a boy I know who is being recruited for Swimming said the new pool might be housed in that spot.

The field events in track will be located behind the new Tennis Center on Mockingbird and in front of the new Data Center on the west side of North Central. This location is irregularly shaped and probably better suited for throwing events.

As for a new Natatorium, the growing opinion is at the NE corner of SMU Blvd. and the North Central Expressway. Nothing is public except the demolition of Joe Perkins, which should happen soon.

[TidePony]

I think that is what he meant. And, he said by the Freeway.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

That NE corner of Central and Yale is a prime spot - that would be cool. I had always pictured it going in that area back where the theater used to be, but right there on Central would look great.

I have no idea where the throwers practice now. I assume at Westcott or Pettus. I'm still dreading the first javelin on Central after we start using the new facilities south of Mockingbird though...

[NewAgeMustange]

Right now the throwers practice on SMU Blvd behind the tower. Between Central and where Barely House is. If you head east on SMU right before the DART tracks on your right is the current field. I remember overhearing some people say that it cost 5 million to build just to be used for a couple years back when they placed the field there.