Reilly Center pool
Photo: GoBonnies
BY GENEVIEVE BLUMBERG, STAFF WRITER
The Reilly Center — a multi-purpose arena at St. Bonaventure University — swimming pool has experienced closures due to repairs. The causes have not been deemed dangerous and some members of the swimming and diving teams say they have not suffered setbacks despite changes in pool availability.
Jared Smith, director of facilities operations, said that the swimming pool is original to when the building was built.
“The pool is from 1966,” said Smith. “The [maintenance] parts are replaced as needed, but the pool has not received a full-scale large renovation yet.”
Kathryn Lyons, a junior strategic communication major, said the Reilly Center natatorium –the aquatic activities facility– is smaller than other schools.
“Although it is a smaller pool, we do have very good air quality and circulation, which is quite uncommon for indoor pools,” said Lyons.
The size and age of the swimming pool create a disadvantage, said Henry Wilkes, junior health science major.
“However, comparing the training facilities at St. Bonaventure to other facilities around the nation, we are at a clear disadvantage to most schools,” said Wilkes.
According to Luigi Termine, junior accounting major, and Lyons, a pool is a pool.
“All that matters is having a pool and a manageable environment to succeed as student-athletes,” said Termine.
When the pool is closed, the swimming and diving teams could be left without a place to train.
“When [the pool] was shut down, that was just a precaution,” said Smith. “It was never dangerous to anybody. The HVAC system was being worked on. It got colder in there than usual, which if you’re swimming and you get out of the water, 70 degrees feels cold.”
When the Reilly Center pool is unavailable, high schools surrounding Bonaventure have pools for the team to use.
“Luckily, the pool has rarely been closed in my three years here,” said Lyons. “As long as we have a place to swim, it really does not affect my training. We’ve been really lucky and grateful that schools in Allegany and Olean have been accommodating to our team when the RC has been closed.”
The swimming and diving team coaches have worked to give the swim team the resources they need to be successful.
“I can confidently say my training is not affected by any closures of the Reilly Center pool,” said Wilkes.
Plans for a new pool are not currently in the works. According to Smith, the expense of a new pool is on the president and athletic director’s radar.
“If you wanted to build just an average size [pool] for a college swim team, it could cost 12 to 14 million dollars,” said Smith.
blumbegc24@bonaventure.edu
