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Temporary pool a hit with leisurely swimmers

The University unveiled a new temporary swimming pool at the Erickson Athletic Complex Jan. 23. In addition to providing a much-needed on-campus practice space for Brown's aquatics teams, the new facility has also been a boon for a less visible group on campus: recreational swimmers.

Located behind the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center, the $3.8 million temporary pool consists of an above-ground eight-lane pool enclosed in a white, pressurized dome. Despite its simplicity, both students and faculty who have attended the pool's open swimming hours praised the facility's design.

After structural problems with the Smith Swim Center permanently closed that facility last spring, students and staff members expressed frustration with the lack of a functional pool on campus. But response to the temporary pool this semester has been positive. The pool will serve Brown's swimmers for at least three years, while officials proceed with planning and construction for a new, $25-million aquatics facility.

The pool is open for recreational swimming Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Despite the short hours, "the pool has seen consistent use by both students and staff members even within the first few days of operation," said swimming attendant Amy Chang '08.

Football player Mark Callahan '10 said the pool provided good conditioning during the offseason, adding that he likes having the option to swim in his workout regimen.

The only criticism came from Trevan Samp '10. "They don't let you use the diving board," he said. "That's a bummer."

Although the Smith Center was previously open to a limited number of non-University-affiliated local residents, the temporary pool will be limited to Brown students, staff and faculty only. No physical education classes are currently offered in the temporary facility.


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