The heater for the pool in Spaulding Gymnasium is still broken.
Previously, The Equinox reported in December 2023, that there was a possibility for it to be fixed over winter break, according to Pat Hearn, assistant director of campus recreation.
With winter break over, it could be fixed over spring break, but ultimately it is unknown when it will be done, said Chris Woolridge, head coach for swim and dive.
“It’ll be done basically when no one is using it,” Woolridge said.
He said the exhaust should be coming in shortly, but it will be at least another month until the condenser arrives.
The heater has been broken since around September, he added.
As for now, the pool has been heated by using a hot hose, since the building has running hot water. This method has brought the temperature of the pool to meet the standard temperature in compliance with NCAA policies, Woolridge said.
The pool heating system still uses the old-fashioned way the campus heats its buildings as the heater that kept the pool warm is all original to when the pool was built back in the late 60s.
“The way we heat is good for the campus but not common for pools,” Woolridge said. “They don’t make [the parts] anymore.
Because the heater is around 60 years old, the heater has to be custom-made, something that can take some time.
The parts that are broken are the steam exhaust and the steam condenser, according to Woolridge.
He confirmed the parts have been ordered, but the exhaust can take around 16 weeks and the condenser could take 20 weeks to come in.
“Our plumbers are ready to put it in,” Woolridge said. “It just needs to get here.”
Tim Bruns can be contacted at
tbruns@kscequinox.com
