Pictured above: The 80-year-old Coquina Pool behind Heller Hall may be getting a makeover.
Courtesy of Avery Jennings | The Crow’s Nest.
By Avery Jennings
A new and improved pool at USF St. Petersburg may be in the works for students.
Although the plans have not been confirmed, the St. Petersburg Campus Advisory Board voted to move forward on a project that will remodel or relocate Campus Recreation’s Coquina Pool during its April 22 meeting.
There were significant capital funds available in the St. Petersburg budget allotted to H. William Heller Hall and a proposal was made by Campus Recreation to use these funds to provide a new pool for students.
The proposal from USF St. Petersburg Campus Recreation included two possible options. The existing pool could be renovated, or a new pool will be built closer to the heart of campus – possibly behind Pelican Apartments – to replace the existing pool.
According to Campus Recreation, the Coquina Pool was built in the 1930s and has been in use for eight decades. The infrastructure of the pool is degrading due to its age and “the condition of the existing 80-year-old swimming pool and its proximity for student access have become hindrances to its utilization and the development of surrounding spaces,” according to the Campus Advisory Board.
A relocation of the pool is well supported by students.
A 2019 USF St. Petersburg student survey showed 30% of the 332 respondents said they didn’t know a pool existed or where it is located and 13% felt it is not aesthetically pleasing. Twenty percent of the students stated they do not feel comfortable walking across campus in swimwear.
The director of Campus Recreation, Al Gentilini, said, “the students not only want a new pool but want it closer to the heart of campus. A lot of students reported the current location isn’t the most ideal place since it’s on the edge of campus.”
A new pool also has the potential to retain current students and draw new students to the university.
A 2019 USF St. Petersburg student survey showed 68 percent of students reported that Campus Recreation facilities influenced their decision of which college/university to attend, and 74 percent of students reported that Campus Recreation facilities influenced their decision to continue attending their chosen college/universities.
The Capital Improvement Trust Fund (CITF) began funding the project under the title of “Coquina [Heller] Hall Student Space Modification” in the 2017-2018 fiscal year and the $2,055,429 project budget is fully funded as of the 2020-2021 year.
A renovation of the 83-year-old pool would cost $1.5 million of the allotted budget.
According to Campus Recreation, the relocation plan would include a new facility in a different location.
The budget would allow for the building of a facility with a simple and versatile design for aquatics and deck-based programs with locker and shower facilities, lap swimming and a wet classroom/student space. There would be an enclosed and ventilated pumproom and covered storage to ensure the longevity of the facility.
According to St. Petersburg Director of Communications and Marketing Carrie O’Brion, since the Campus Advisory Board’s approval, the proposal must be reviewed by the USF Board of Trustees Finance Committee, then sent to the USF Board of Trustees for final approval.
Avery Jennings is a junior mass communications major at USF St. Petersburg.
