By Julia Kelly, First Year Communication & Media major

St. Joseph’s gymnasium will be renovated beginning April 30. The anticipated date of completion is August 18, just in time for the 2018 fall semester. The gymnasium will be converted into a larger fitness facility. In order to complete the renovations, the pool, which opened in 1932, located on the first floor will be filled in and no longer available.

“As part of the renovation process, the Forbes Avenue space is combing with our space, meaning that all the weights, machines, and other equipment will be all together in one facility,” said George Sliman, Director of Athletics. Sliman also said that Carlow must follow the American Disability Act (ADA), which is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on a disability. Following the ADA, St. Joe’s will be handicap accessible, meaning that there will be an elevator added to the building. “And the pool is closing to free up some much-needed space,” said Sliman.

Students have mixed reactions to the closure of the St. Joe’s pool. Alysa Fairman, first year nursing major, said, “I am sad. I was planning on using it more often for softball workouts.” Zach Talley, senior-respiratory therapy, said that he is a little sad it is closing, “but I didn’t get to use it as much as I liked because of the pool hours not matching my hours.” However, Talley is excited to see what Carlow has in store for the remodeling and the new fitness center.

The St. Joe’s pool was also a job opportunity for students. Loren Walters, sophomore-nursing major, said, “I am deeply saddened by the news of its closure. I love lifeguarding and am very disappointed that I will no longer be able to lifeguard on campus.” She noticed a fair number of faculty and students using the pool. She and the rest of the pool staff now must seek other jobs.

Carlow Univeristy students, faculty, and staff are not the only people who will no longer be using the pool. The Campus School of Carlow University students, ranging from kindergarteners to fifth graders, also use the pool. Each grade has swim class once per six day cycle. Pam Pyska, Campus School swimming instructor, said “Our aquatics curriculum includes water safety, stroke analysis, water aerobics, introduction to competitive swimming, recreational games, and synchronized swimming.” Both she and her students are sad to see the swimming pool close. They now have to find another activity to do. Sliman said “the new improvements will be highly beneficial and will satisfy many in the end.”