ATHENS —
The University of Georgia’s plan to demolish a historic swimming pool on the campus is drawing opposition.
Nearly 700 people have signed a petition opposing destruction of Legion Pool, according to The Athens Banner-Herald (http://bit.ly/Pzs8Bv ).
“As a child, Legion Pool was the place I learned to swim, and where I spent every day of every summer diving, jumping and playing in the water,” wrote petition signer Andrew Baker of Takoma Park, Md. “Legion Pool represents my childhood, and the childhood of many kids just like me growing up in Athens. ... Please don’t destroy it, or you will be destroying a place that is Athens.”
The state historic preservation office is also questioning the plan, and has asked UGA for more justification of why they need to get rid of the pool.
University officials say it would cost about $490,000 to renovate the pool, in the heart of the campus. They propose to replace it with a $2.6 million pool half as big at the university’s Intramural Fields off College Station Road.
Officials said the pool, built by the American Legion in 1935, is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
David Crass, the director of the state’s Historic Preservation Division, has asked UGA for more justification to why they want to rip up Legion Pool.
“The submitted information consists of a cover letter, map, photographs of the pool facility, and narrative describing the property and supporting its demolition,” Crass wrote in a letter dated Tuesday. “The photographs provided do not demonstrate conditions of severe deterioration or existing repair needs.”
Crass also wrote that UGA also failed to say how the demolition is consistent with the university’s master plan.
According to a future campus map posted on the UGA website, the university’s master campus facilities plan calls for the pool to remain where it is. The map, drawn in 2008, shows that the pool and an adjacent undeveloped area could one day be surrounded by several small residence halls.
University planners have no plans to build anything on the site at this time, according to UGA Campus Architect Danny Sniff.
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Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com
State News
August 3, 2012
UGA’s plan to demolish pool draws opposition
- State News
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