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I thought that right as I posted. High altitude training

smustatesman wrote:Fun fact for Water Pony: The Coliseum (later named Moody Coliseum) was originally designed to also house a natatorium. But, before plans progressed further, it became cost prohibitive. I guess $2.5 Million only bought so much back in the mid 50's, or a young "Red" didn't have enough "friends" to add to the mix.

Penny-wise and dollar foolish, eh? I loved your reference to "Red" Barr, my coach and a true gentleman, who put SMU Swimming & Diving on the National map. Several years ago we inducted him into the SMU Athletic Hall of Fame. More than 50 former swimmers and divers attended, as well as family and Friends of SMU Swimming. We were the most vocal group at the occasion.

Digetydog wrote:Question for the swimmers? Does the Natatorium have be built on campus? If not, could the cost of building it be reduced by moving it outside SMU's current footprint and/or using it for other purposes?

Example:
1) Repurpose/Demolish Perkins;
2) Use the current outdoor pool for students;
3) Find another location (probably in the suburbs) and build a facility for the SMU Swim Team, but also use it for other local swim teams/meets. In terms of usage, SMU swimmers could use it during whatever time SMU coaches feel is ideal (why is it always sp early in the morning) and other local swim teams could use it for training at other times?
4) Question: Does the diving team need to be indoors? If not, eliminating the need to cover the high platform could save a lot of cash?

Good questions, Digetydog. Going off-campus facility could save some money, but less than you might think, especially if the multiple use objectives mandated two pools, indoor and outdoor for greater utilization for SMU and non-SMU programs. The major trade-off is the training schedule for both Men and Women teams, both of which routinely practice twice a day, early morning and afternoon. Travel to Plano is doable, but further reduces time in the pool, which needs to be maximized. As for early morning, swimming performance and competing at the highest level relies on Men and Women, who dedicate 4+ hours per day. Olympians train even more. When I swam in the sixties, 2+ hours was typical, but no longer. Lastly, diving does need to be indoors during the competitive season, even in Dallas weather. As a result, the high platform does require a higher ceiling, which permits stadium seating, btw, which is good.

Water Pony wrote:

Digetydog wrote:Question for the swimmers? Does the Natatorium have be built on campus? If not, could the cost of building it be reduced by moving it outside SMU's current footprint and/or using it for other purposes?

Example:
1) Repurpose/Demolish Perkins;
2) Use the current outdoor pool for students;
3) Find another location (probably in the suburbs) and build a facility for the SMU Swim Team, but also use it for other local swim teams/meets. In terms of usage, SMU swimmers could use it during whatever time SMU coaches feel is ideal (why is it always sp early in the morning) and other local swim teams could use it for training at other times?
4) Question: Does the diving team need to be indoors? If not, eliminating the need to cover the high platform could save a lot of cash?

Good questions, Digetydog. Going off-campus facility could save some money, but less than you might think, especially if the multiple use objectives mandated two pools, indoor and outdoor for greater utilization for SMU and non-SMU programs. The major trade-off is the training schedule for both Men and Women teams, both of which routinely practice twice a day, early morning and afternoon. Travel to Plano is doable, but further reduces time in the pool, which needs to be maximized. As for early morning, swimming performance and competing at the highest level relies on Men and Women, who dedicate 4+ hours per day. Olympians train even more. When I swam in the sixties, 2+ hours was typical, but no longer. Lastly, diving does need to be indoors during the competitive season, even in Dallas weather. As a result, the high platform does require a higher ceiling, which permits stadium seating, btw, which is good.

While Plano kis would likely use it for training, I was actually wondering if the pool facility could be built on the same land that the new golf course will use. A world class competition pool in that area could be a boon to that part of Dallas as weekend meets at the facility might draw lots of people from around the metroplex llus, it would help make SMU "part of Dallas."

Water Pony wrote:

smustatesman wrote:Fun fact for Water Pony: The Coliseum (later named Moody Coliseum) was originally designed to also house a natatorium. But, before plans progressed further, it became cost prohibitive. I guess $2.5 Million only bought so much back in the mid 50's, or a young "Red" didn't have enough "friends" to add to the mix.

Penny-wise and dollar foolish, eh? I loved your reference to "Red" Barr, my coach and a true gentleman, who put SMU Swimming & Diving on the National map. Several years ago we inducted him into the SMU Athletic Hall of Fame. More than 50 former swimmers and divers attended, as well as family and Friends of SMU Swimming. We were the most vocal group at the occasion.

He was a great man of character; and like you, I enjoyed his knowledge of swimming, which he imparted on all of us. Was aware of his induction into TSMUAHOF, but unfortunately could not make it down to Dallas. Don't know if you knew his sons, Bill and Alan. Bill graduated in '71, and Alan in '74 and SMU Law School . Alan sadly passed away in January 2011.

smustatesman wrote:

Water Pony wrote:

smustatesman wrote:Fun fact for Water Pony: The Coliseum (later named Moody Coliseum) was originally designed to also house a natatorium. But, before plans progressed further, it became cost prohibitive. I guess $2.5 Million only bought so much back in the mid 50's, or a young "Red" didn't have enough "friends" to add to the mix.

Penny-wise and dollar foolish, eh? I loved your reference to "Red" Barr, my coach and a true gentleman, who put SMU Swimming & Diving on the National map. Several years ago we inducted him into the SMU Athletic Hall of Fame. More than 50 former swimmers and divers attended, as well as family and Friends of SMU Swimming. We were the most vocal group at the occasion.

He was a great man of character; and like you, I enjoyed his knowledge of swimming, which he imparted on all of us. Was aware of his induction into TSMUAHOF, but unfortunately could not make it down to Dallas. Don't know if you knew his sons, Bill and Alan. Bill graduated in '71, and Alan in '74 and SMU Law School . Alan sadly passed away in January 2011.

Statesman, thanks. I did learn about Alan and saw Coach Barr's family at his SMU Athletic Hall of Fame Induction, where his daughter, Bobbie, spoke so eloquently.

Hey guys, thanks for all the answers. Unfortunately now they lead to more questions. I'm not exactly a math wiz, but... it seems to me that there isn't enough ground to rebuild the Natatorium on Perkin's footprint. At least not like it needs to be rebuilt to be competitive. And if the IPF is going to be on Westcott... Doesn't that leave soccer and track homeless? Why do we need an IPF anyway? (Yes, I know... every else has got one...) It's not like SMU's weather is terrible. Okay, August is nasty but we play outdoors in August. Don't we want the team acclimated?

Isn't there a master plan somewhere for all this, or are we doing this on the fly as per usual? It seems to me if we know what we want and where the hell we want it, it might make fund raising a little easier.