The UC swim team and water polo team were out of the water for the first two weeks of classes. The pool in the Clark Athletic Center underwent renovations, and it finally opened on Monday, Sept. 16.

The pool opened this week but only for daytime hours, according to an email released to the UC community by Aquatics Director Eric Knight. In the same email, Knight added that the pool will resume its regular hours of operation on Monday, Sept. 23.

A lot of work was done to upgrade the pool, according to Athletic Director Dave Fontaine. It received an all new filtration system and new tiles.

This was not an easy process. To accomplish this, the old filtration system had to be removed, including all of the old tiles, Fontaine said.

“Starting this process in the summertime was essential so it did not have a large impact on the athletic teams that utilize the facility,” Fontaine said. 

Fontaine said he was pleased with the renovations that were made, and felt that the upgrade was needed for the pool to function on a higher, consistent level.  

“With the repairs and upgrades, we look forward to hosting events in the future,” Fontaine said.

This section of the Clark Athletic Center is not just for sporting either. There are classes that use the pool as part of the curriculum. Wellness and adventure major Benjamin Russo said classes have been going smoothly without the pool so far.   

“I’m glad we don’t start getting in the pool for class until later in the semester, so we will avoid the construction being done on it,” Russo said.  

The freshly upgraded swimming pool will also be the home of UC’s swimming and water polo teams. The swim team has been preparing for the start of their season, with their first meet taking place on Oct. 25.

The closure of the pool has not affected the swim team or the water polo team all that much, as they have been doing training outside of the water. Fall ball practices for water polo are set to begin this upcoming week. Senior Daniela Hannah, who plays for both teams, said she is excited for the season that is ahead.  

“I feel that I am more excited about what the season has to offer than seeing it as the last time I’ll be competing in a sport I have done my whole life,” Hannah said. “I want to make the most of my last season, work hard and have a close team bond.”

Hannah said she is also happy that the renovations took place during the summer. She said if they had started in the winter, it would have had an impact on their month of training for the championship meet.