Sullivan Aquatic Center to open in October

By Genna Tan

With the completion of the library and business school building, the behind-schedule Sullivan Aquatic Center and a student center will be the next big construction projects for the university.

Swimming pool

Joe Sugg, assistant vice president for university operations, said the original goal was to finish the aquatic center in September.

"We challenged the contractor to get it done in September because we wanted to try our best to get water polo games this fall," said Sugg. "However, pools of this nature usually take about a year to complete."

The mechanical room, plastering the pool, pouring concrete and filling up the pool are the primary tasks that need to be finished, Sugg said.

"We're on track for Oct. 23, but there are some things we don't have any control over," said Sugg.

Additionally, two state health department inspections need to be completed before the aquatic center can be opened to the public.

The first inspection on Oct. 3 has to be done before the pool is plastered. Inspectors need to see that there are security measures in place to ensure that no one can easily get into the construction area and fall into the empty pool.

The second inspection -- which is scheduled for Oct. 17 -- is a final inspection to make sure that the pool meets all of the design, safety and equipment criteria to be deemed safe for public use. Fencing, lighting, lifeguard stations, safety signage and pool markings have to be in place in order to pass this inspection.

After the health department finishes these inspections, Santa Clara can seek a temporary occupancy permit from the city of Santa Clara, says Sugg.

"We don't have any control over when the inspector shows up," said Sugg. "But I can say that they have been very good to us. That's why we've been able to stay on track."

"The target date for completion is Oct. 23, but when it will actually be opened to students is the next question," said Sugg. "Public swimming has a different criteria from water polo, as you need lifeguards."

While the aquatic center is under construction, the swim club and water polo teams have moved their practices to pools at other schools.

Swim Club President Elizabeth Storelli said they are holding their practices at San Jose State University for the time being. Members of the club pay the $3 daily fee or $30 monthly pass fee themselves in order to use the pool.

"Despite the fact that the opening of the new pool was delayed, I'm still really excited for its opening," said Storelli.

There are some things that still will not be in place by the target opening date, according to Sugg.

Besides a new scoreboard, lifeguard building and permanent bleachers, Sugg said they plan to purchase a movable bulkhead once funding is available.

"With the old pool, people weren't able to do lap swimming while there were water polo games going on," said Athletic Director Dan Coonan.

The movable bulkhead, which costs about $250,000, is a floating plank that can be used to divide the pool.

Storelli added, "In the past we had to work around water polo's schedule, but with the new pool, we can practice even when they are having practice."

"You don't need it to play water polo and you don't need it to swim, but it makes it much nicer and easier for water polo players and swimmers to use the pool at the same time," said Sugg.

Alumnus Jack Sullivan and his wife Joan donated $3 million for the center.

Sullivan finished his undergraduate degree in 1959 and his M.B.A. in 1976 at Santa Clara.

"I used to go around to other pools and could see what we really needed here, and Jack and Joanie Sullivan stepped in and helped us out greatly," Coonan said.

The new aquatic center has a budget of $3.7 million, but it needs an estimated $1.3 million more to add in the extra equipment and facilities.

"This will be one of the finest water centers in California," said Sugg.

Coonan said he's excited about the aquatic center.

"It'll be wonderful to have a first-class facility because we certainly have first-class teams, and they deserve it," he said.

Student center

A 17,000 square foot student building will be located adjacent to Alumni Park, which is located behind Stanton Field and Buck Shaw Stadium.

It should begin in January and take about nine months to complete.

The student building will not only be a large gathering hall for student events, but it will also house the offices of Associated Students, Santa Clara Community Action Program, Activities Programming Board and Center for Student Leadership, Sugg said.

"We're in the design stages right now for the student building," said Sugg. "We have been working with representatives from those student organizations."

There will also be a separate building behind the student center that will house women's' and men's' locker rooms, Sugg said.

Contact Genna Tan at (408) 554-4546 or gbtan@scu.edu.