AMHERST — Even as Hampshire College is nearing the end of its operations, Amherst Recreation is using the campus swimming pool for a variety of programs.
With the usual indoor swimming pool for the aquatics program closed until at least October, due to the ongoing roof replacement at Amherst Regional Middle School, Town Manager Paul Bockelman informed the Town Council this week that the college is giving the town full access to the Robert Crown Center Pool.
“The college is not charging the town anything to use it,” Bockelman said.
The town is covering the ongoing costs of operating a pool, though the aquatics program is generally self-supporting through fees assessed to participants.
Bockelman said the college is allowing the town to program the pool around the clock, should it want to. He said the use of the pool is mostly being done out of the college’s generosity and for building and maintaining a connection with the community.
A draft agreement is being prepared to outline the terms of use, though the town is not using anything other than the pool inside the facility.
“We will not lose money on it, for sure,” Bockelman said.
If the aquatics program makes any money, it would split this with the college, but Bockelman said the first six months are likely a break-even proposition.
“The advantage for the college is it gets used,” Bockelman said. The pool also gets a certified pool operator.
As has been customary, students faculty and staff at Hampshire will be able to participate in the aquatics program.
The program includes lessons, open and lap swim and trainings.
In his weekly report to the council, Bockelman also praised Denise Leckenby, who oversees the aquatics program:
“We are very grateful to the college for providing this facility for our use and to our
aquatics director who has been creative about taking on the new facility and
making sure it all could happen.”
