This old house

Swimming Technique, Oct-Dec 1998 by Stott, Michael J

Last fall, Swimming Technique chronicled the travails and triumphs of six diverse swimming organizations in getting facilities funded and built. It was not an easy process then, and it continues to be a struggle today. But those individuals and groups committed to the sport have a way of producing happy endings.

This year, we profile three sites-Louisville, Cincinnati and Stanford-that have basked in past success and have a desire to remain that way for national-class athletes. A fourth-the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex-dates only to 1990, but has earned a reputation as a world-class training facility attracting aquanauts from around the globe.

Louisville's Lakeside Swim Club was the home team for world record holder Mary T. Meagher, whose name now graces the venerable and renovated Natatorium at Crescent Hill. While the Lakeside SeaHawks have been the most successful of the primary competitive occupants, the new building, which opened in September, doubles as a terrific public training, recreational and therapeutic center.

Keating Natatorium in Cincinnati first opened its doors in the summer of 1969 and quickly began attracting national meets and fast swimmers. Three Cincinnati Marlin Olympic gold medalists trained there-Jenny Kemp, Deena Deardurff and Joe Hudepohl. The pool has been the home of two Swimming World High School Swimmers of the Year in this decade-Hudepohl and Nate Dusing. That aside, the superstructure surrounding the pool was due for an overhaul. A dedicated group of parents, St. Xavier High School administrators and $12.6 million are destined to restore Keating to its former glory.

When it comes to Stanford University, Sears handyman Bob Vila should have it so easy. The problem is not that the current DeGuerre Pools and Courts are in disrepair; it's just that there is insufficient space. The answer: a concerted fund-raising effort that will produce a four-pool complex (to be named later) that will open for business in May 2000. Phase 1 work consists of a 50-meter training pool and a diving well with four springboards and dive platform levels. This embarrassment of riches will be ready for Olympic training in September 1999.

The Coral Springs Aquatic Complex in south Florida qualifies as neither makeover nor renovation. It's just a stunning starter home that even Mark Spitz would find humbling. Built in 1990 as a world-class training facility within a 182-acre regional Sportsplex, the site is best known for its water-related components that rival the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale and the now defunct Mission Bay. Permanent residents include over 200 members of the USS Coral Springs Swim Club, three high school squads and a Masters team, but it is the influx of European national teams and U.S. college teams that constantly enlarges the complex's reputation.

Given a chance, there isn't a swimmer anywhere who wouldn't relish a dip in any of these waters.

Four years ago, St. Xavier High School, operator of the Keating Natatorium, was contemplating its closure. Considered state-of-the-art when it opened in 1969, the pool had all the accouterments for big meets. With its eight lanes and 50 meters, movable bulkhead, advanced gutter system, huge scoreboard, electronic timing system and underwater viewing windows, it was home to hundreds of meets, including two U.S. national championships and one national Junior Olympics.

Truth be told, in 1996 it was still a first-class body of water, but with rusty bleachers, small offices and locker rooms, Keating no longer possessed the ambience conducive to national meets or attractiveness as a training base for a membership roster that included national, world and Olympic champions.

Fortunately, most of the problems involved the superstructure and not the pool itself. Despite operating out of the 29year-old building, the resident Cincinnati Marlins and the St. Xavier Aquabombers have kept churning out winners. Thanks to a continued vision of excellence, the Keating Natatorium Development Committee and the St. Xavier fathers formulated a plan in 1996 to expand the high school, link it to the natatorium and restore Keating to its former grandeur.

That renovation is currently under way. Underground utilities were relocated in May 1998 in preparation for the $12.6 million project, which should be completed in the fall of 1999.

Improvements include something for everyone. Swimmers will benefit from new team and weight rooms; coaches and staff get separate offices with pool views as well as storage space. From the multi-level expansion, spectators will get raised concrete grandstands, a new spectator entry, attractive lobby, entrance concession area and new restrooms. Officials will enjoy both deck level rooms and a platform overlooking the pool.

For years, the Cincinnati Marlins have had one of the most decorated age group programs in the United States. Keating Natatorium has long been a symbol of that success. With a major facelift underway and a maintenance endowment fund in place, the crown jewel in Midwest swimming is getting ready to shine