HRS basement to get really wet

Calling it "the coolest" renovation project the University has proposed in years, Associate Vice President for Campus Services Larry Moneta announced yesterday that an indoor, Olympic-size swimming pool would be constructed in the basement of High Rise South this summer, replacing the building's Rathskellar Lounge. The idea for building a pool -- which is scheduled for completion by early September -- aligns with plans Moneta announced in January to create a fitness center in the rooftop lounge of HRS. The fitness center will be completed by the end of the summer. "Now we'll be able to call Harrison House a true 'fitness center'," Moneta said. "Without having a pool in there to go along with the aerobic and cardiovascular facilities, we'd just be cheating." Residential Advisory Board Chairperson Emily Pollack said the pool project is an example of "true collaboration" between students and administrators on a major University plan. The College sophomore said the idea for the pool came out of a series of RAB discussions on making better use of the high rise rooftop and Rathskeller lounges. "Our high rise improvement plans began last fall with putting big potted plants in front of each high rise entrance," Pollack said. "When we saw how successful that was in improving the quality of life in the high rises, we decided to go for bigger plans." Pollack added that "when the administration approved our idea for a fitness center, we decided 'what the hey, let's build a pool!'." Moneta said that these plans are "just a hint of what I have in mind" for his 10-year residential renovations plan -- which, he said, will be released in its entirety later this spring. Meanwhile, administrators and faculty members involved in the creation and implementation of the college house plan, announced in October, say the pool project fits with their vision. The college house plan calls to organize the University's residences into 12 multi-year college houses with individualized themes, as well as added staff, programming and academic support. Residential Faculty Council Chairperson Al Filreis, an English professor, hailed the pool idea. "I think it's very exciting that Harrison house will be developing its profile as the 'fitness college house' so early in the game," Filreis said. "When we first announced the college house plan, we assumed it would take the high rise college houses at least two years to start developing individualistic themes. I'd have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised." Most students said they are pleased with the University's proposal. Some said the walk to Gimbel Gymnasium to use the indoor pool is "too long" or "tiring." "There are all these times when I want to go swimming to exercise or feel refreshed, but then I think about making the long haul to Gimbel and I just change my mind," College junior Lizzie Ahss said. Other students raised concerns about safety issues. "I feel unsafe walking off campus with wet hair," Engineering freshman Rebecca Jeuvenal said. "It's ridiculous for the University to expect us to leave Locust Walk and trek down Walnut during the day, when there are no Spectaguards around, just so we can go exercise. There should be an alternative option." Students also complained about the conditions of the Gimbel pool. One student, College senior John La Bombard, said he has refused to return to the pool ever since a piece of "strange-looking matter" hit him once while he was swimming. "I'm just glad it didn't hit my penis," La Bombard noted. Money to fund the $700,000 project will be donated by 1986 Wharton graduate John Hugh-Butts, who developed gangrene in his rear during his years at Penn from what he described as "a lack of physical activity." "I would spend my winter evenings sitting at my desk for hours at a time when I lived in the high rises," Hugh-Butts said. "I had no motivation to walk the length of campus in the freezing cold just to find a place to work out. I don't want any more students to have to suffer the dark winters without a pool in their dorms." Hugh-Butts said he will consider donating money for indoor pools in the other 11 college houses, under one condition: "I will provide further funds only if the pools will be named after my wife, Rosebud."

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