Mariano Picolomini
Pierce College is getting a new makeover with the renovation of the North and South Gyms as well as the surrounding facilities including the pool, stadium, baseball and softball fields. The almost $15 million overhaul is part of the Physical Education Renovation Project that is helping the campus become modernized and beautified. The construction began early this semester and will continue until the projected Aug. ’09 completion date.
The P.E. Renovation Project is funded by a state proposal and a matching bond given by the school. The proposal was sent to the state and was approved when it went through election and the matching bond was up to the school. The pool, located between the North and South Gyms, is closed until the summer of 2009. Instead, swimmers are able to use the Valley College swimming pool in North Hollywood to work out and practice. Valley College is returning the favor for the use of the Pierce pool during construction of the Valley pool. “Valley College swimmers used our pool during their renovation so now were using theirs,” said David Tsao, Swinerton Management Team project manager. “Now the renovation is a little hard on the swimmers but it will be great for them in the long run.”
The old pool had deteriorating plaster and a leak that was only recently discovered when construction began. Paul Nieman, director of plant facilities, discussed the problems with the old pool. “The old pool had plaster that was falling apart, causing the pool to be cloudy and have a leak that no one found until construction began,” Nieman said. The new pool facilities include some handicapped-friendly updates. The old pool already had a seat to help the disabled and elderly enter and exit the pool, but the new area will include the refurbished pool in addition to a second “Wellness Pool.”
The Wellness Pool is only three-feet deep and will allow for adaptive physical education classes to teach beginning and handicapped students. The pool will also be used by the swimmers to warm up before swimming competitions. Once construction is complete, all swimming and physical-education activities occurring in the North and South Gyms will be back to normal.
(drake Zimmerman)