Natatorium closing forever April 1, 2014

[RGV Pony]

So I guess this means the new band digs in the soph commons got funded and done?

[PonyKai]

I guess so.

[Water Pony]

I thought the Sigma Chi house was slotted for alumni center since SMU finally bought them out of their land...

My bet is that the Sigma Chi will be torn down. I suspect that SMU wants an impressive Alumni House and not repurpose an existing building. Beside the new Administration Quad needs an comparable and complimentary academic building in that space.

[PonyKai]

yeah

[Digetydog]

I thought the Sigma Chi house was slotted for alumni center since SMU finally bought them out of their land...

Unless the Sigma Chi's got a better deal than my fraternity, the school owns the land and the building. I am pretty sure that is how the school ended up "with " the ATO house and how the KA house ended up a dorm while they were suspended.

[couch 'em]

What is the point of an alumni center?

[Water Pony]

What is the point of an alumni center?

A prime location for the alumni to make their deposits, class reunions, etc.

[PonyKai]

Probably smart to announce any plans for a new center in the middle of fundraising the extra $250 million to get to $1B for the Centennial drive

[Digetydog]

The emotional part of me wants a new, world class pool up and running ASAP for the reasons outlined by others.

Nevertheless, I wonder what I would do if I was running things. Unless I had a donor ready to big check because he loved the team, I don't know that I would commit my fundraising team to finding the money for such an expensive building.

Idea: build the Natatorium offsite - say near the golf course - with the idea that it would be used by teams all over the metroplex.

[PoconoPony]

The emotional part of me wants a new, world class pool up and running ASAP for the reasons outlined by others.

Nevertheless, I wonder what I would do if I was running things. Unless I had a donor ready to big check because he loved the team, I don't know that I would commit my fundraising team to finding the money for such an expensive building.

Idea: build the Natatorium offsite - say near the golf course - with the idea that it would be used by teams all over the metroplex.

Great out of the box thinking. At any rate, any facility must have some capacity to be financially self sustaining. A single purpose building used only for competitive swimming is a dream scenario, but the reality of the situation is that any facility should be multi-purpose or generate revenue. This is why the fight by PE to totally exclude a competitive pool from that complex was one of the dumbest decisions in the history of SMU. Even at that time the natatorium was in a bad state of repairs and I will not bore you to death with the politics of why no repairs have been made to the pool building. Personally, I fear for the loss of both swim teams at SMU as it would be very easy to retire out both coaching staffs ( I believe all are eligible) and shut down the program. The only other alternative is to have the swim teams train and compete at another facility in the area.

[ponyswim]

It was made very clear to those who attended the event at the Nat yesterday that the university is very much behind the swim teams and will build a new facility.
Both [deleted]'t AD Tom Bunning (who oversaw the Moody renovation and is a former swimmer Army) and Rick Hart, were at the Nat yesterday. From what I was told I would expect a facility to be built on the east side of Central Expressway, and that there would be an indoor and outdoor 50 meter pool. The good thing about building there, as opposed to on the present site, is that it will be several million $$ less to build it there vs where it is now (matching architecture, staging costs etc.). The big question is the timing. Realistically have a finished product in Sept, 2016 would likely be the best scenario.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

It was made very clear to those who attended the event at the Nat yesterday that the university is very much behind the swim teams and will build a new facility.
Both [deleted]'t AD Tom Bunning (who oversaw the Moody renovation and is a former swimmer Army) and Rick Hart, were at the Nat yesterday. From what I was told I would expect a facility to be built on the east side of Central Expressway, and that there would be an indoor and outdoor 50 meter pool. The good thing about building there, as opposed to on the present site, is that it will be several million $$ less to build it there vs where it is now (matching architecture, staging costs etc.). The big question is the timing. Realistically have a finished product in Sept, 2016 would likely be the best scenario.

Thanks for the info. It is starting to sound like a nice, new, natatorium on the east side of Central has a really good chance of happening - and soon.

As always, if Buning and Hart are behind things it should be good. I like Rick and Tom.

[fifty]

Sounds good to me.

[Water Pony]

Thanks for the comments and feedback that a new Natatorium could be expected to be built across the North Central, which is a more practical option especially if the intent is to have both an indoor and outdoor long course (50m x 25yd) pools. 2016 is probably a good bet, since I have not seen any plans (except for the prospective renderings that were done years ago for the Bishop Blvd. site.)

If there is to be an outdoor pool alongside an indoor facility (which makes sense for many reasons, both for training and competition through the entire year which would attract local, regional and national recruits/competitors), then the existing site for the A.R. Barr 'outdoor' Pool becomes available (in two years) along with the land where the current Nat sits. I understand that Joe Perkins will be demolished immediately.

So, place your bets:
- Where will the new Alumni House go? On Bishop or where the Sigma Chi House is today?
- Another dorm on the Bishop/Binkley corner?
- Where do you build the IPF? Westcott Field?
- Do you feel at a IPF could double as Fieldhouse/Indoor Track?
- Is there room cross North Central for more than the new Aquatic Center?

The demolition of Joe Perkins unlocks more possibilities.

[Digetydog]

Thanks for the comments and feedback that a new Natatorium could be expected to be built across the North Central, which is a more practical option especially if the intent is to have both an indoor and outdoor long course (50m x 25yd) pools. 2016 is probably a good bet, since I have not seen any plans (except for the prospective renderings that were done years ago for the Bishop Blvd. site.)

If there is to be an outdoor pool alongside an indoor facility (which makes sense for many reasons, both for training and competition through the entire year which would attract local, regional and national recruits/competitors), then the existing site for the A.R. Barr 'outdoor' Pool becomes available (in two years) along with the land where the current Nat sits. I understand that Joe Perkins will be demolished immediately.

So, place your bets:
- Where will the new Alumni House go? On Bishop or where the Sigma Chi House is today?
- Another dorm on the Bishop/Binkley corner?
- Where do you build the IPF? Westcott Field?
- Do you feel at a IPF could double as Fieldhouse/Indoor Track?
- Is there room cross North Central for more than the new Aquatic Center?

The demolition of Joe Perkins unlocks more possibilities.

Alumni house goes on the Perkins site because it is perfect location for Boulevard events.
Radical idea - the pools AND football training facility end up on the east side of Central. A Red Brick IPF would be an enormous expense.