It's a Long Walk to Swim

By ABIGAIL CRANE

Students in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) have limited resources when it comes to swimming, and now only one option exists if they want to cool off.

To the dismay of students, Director of the Advanced Studies Program, Michael Ricard announced on Tuesday during the program's morning chapel service that using the Lower School Pond dock for swimming will be prohibited.

In addition to the closure of the Lower School Pond, students will not have access to the pool in the Athletic and Fitness Center because of construction taking place on the roof this summer. As a result, students are left with only one resource for cooling off: Turkey Pond.

Many expressed frustration, as demonstrated by the sentiments of the boys in North House.

“I don’t know the reasoning [for the pond closing,] but Turkey Pond is far away,” said ASP student Evan Leith. His dorm mate, Steven Heck, agreed. “This [situation] makes me extremely angry,” said Mr. Heck.

“It is pretty far. You would have to have a good chunk of time to enjoy it,” said Alex Coffin of Brewster House.

Other students don’t seem to mind the fifteen-minute walk.

“It is worth while on a nice day,” said Emma Wager of Wing House.

“I don’t mind the walk at all,” said Avery Hymel of Brewster House.

The administration deemed the pond unsafe for students because of hazardous objects on the floor of the Lower School Pond.

“Glass, [located on the pond floor,] has caused some pretty bad lacerations,” said the Athletic Director, Michele Rogers. In the past, students who have jumped off the docks have cut their feet on the sharp debris when reaching the bottom.

The lack of rain this summer also contributed to the closing of the Lower School Pond, according to Mr. Ricard.

“We haven’t received a lot of rain, [and] the pond is lower than it typically is, [causing] it to be less enjoyable,” said Mr. Ricard. Knowing that, he made the executive decision to close the Lower School Pond.

In addition to the closing of the Lower School Pond and the corresponding dock, the closed pool has been a disappointment to those students who eagerly awaited its use.

“In 2004, they finished the roof (above the pool), but it didn’t seal properly. It was structurally unsound,” said Mr. Ricard, explaining the issue further. The roof project will continue throughout the duration of the program. When asked if they would have used the pool at any point, many students claimed that they would have visited the pool at least three to four times a week.

“The [situation with the] pool is unfortunate. The pool would have been an easy way to swim without the long walk,” said Zach Dugas, of the North dorm.

Instead, students seeking relief from the heat and relaxation after a long day of work will have to trek down to the docks at Turkey Pond, which will undoubtedly become a haven for swimmers and loungers alike throughout the summer.