By Leo Webster — Senior Copy Editor

Bishop’s recently completed a multi-year renovation of its pool facility, intended to increase community accessibility and make the pool eligible for swim competitions. The new facility features proper competition dimensions, new stairs into the pool, two waterslides, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The pool was inaugurated by Marie-Claude Bibeau, the MP for Compton-Stanstead and the Minister of Agriculture, in a ceremony with Principal Goldbloom and Athletics Director Matt McBrine on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Bibeau described the pool, “brighter, more fun, and safer, the fully renovated pool at Bishop’s University Sports Centre will delight students and staff, but also families in the area who can enjoy it for generations to come!”

The renovations cost $5.3 million, and the school received $4.1 million from the government of Quebec and $1.2 million from the federal government.

Bishop’s does not have an official swim team, but hosts high school competitions for Bishop’s College School and Alexander Galt High School. Lap swim and open swim occur most days and are free for Bishop’s students. The pool also hosts swim lessons and lifeguard certification programs.

On a Tuesday evening, at the open swim from 5-7 p.m., there were around thirty people at the pool, mostly families with young children as well as a few lane swimmers and a swim lesson. The diving board was open, but the slides were closed because they would have disrupted the swim lanes. The atmosphere was generally relaxed and friendly.

The newness of the facility was noticeable, especially the starting blocks, which were pristine. The windows also make a change to the space, allowing for natural light and making the room feel larger. 

Bishop’s tends to have a tight student community, but in spaces like the Plex, the students are joined by a larger community that benefits from the facilities of a university. The swimming pool can provide an alternative sport in the winter, as well as low-impact exercise. Many high schools do not have access to their own pool, and their swim team must find a pool that has practice times. Because Bishop’s has no official swim team, the facility has more open slots for community activities. It is worth noting that the pool is not unique in community engagement, since the gym and the hockey rink also have programs for the wider community.  

The swimming pool seems to have relatively low student engagement, based on conversations with students, but several people expressed interest in visiting the facility more often, especially now that it has waterslides. Open swim, from 5-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, is the more casual option, and lane swim, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, is for those who are more familiar with swimming as a sport.