Nearly four years ago we reported that Penn State Athletics chose Baltimore-based design firm Cannon as the architects for a massive upgrade to the McCoy Natatorium, according to the official University blog. Since then, however, the project was placed on hold.
The existing Penn State pool was considered a great facility in 1967 when it was built, however in the 48 years since, it has become outdated and insufficient to meet the needs of the 44,000 strong student body, let alone the varsity swim programs. The current facility features an indoor 6-lane 25-yard pool, a shallow-water 6-lane, 25-meter pool, and a separate dive tank. Penn State also has an outdoor 50-meter pool, but even that is ancient – built in 1968.
“We were not able to secure funding for the project at the time (2011) and it was placed on indefinite hold. We have recently started a facilities master planning study with Populous that will greatly assist in determining future facility plans for the swimming and diving programs and all 31 Penn State programs.”
Populous is one of the world’s leading architecture and sport event planning firms, to collaborate on programming, developing, and producing a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan to address current and long-term needs for the Nittany Lions.
The results of the study will provide the Athletics’ department with “a comprehensive vision for the future with a phased implementation strategy that responds to current needs, is economically viable and flexible to adjust to the dynamic and fluctuating environment of intercollegiate athletics.”
Although there are no specific plans for the future of the McCoy Natatorium, the Athletics Department believes their plans will help create the best conditions for success for their student-athletes, enhance the fan experience, and add value for the alumni and fans while maximizing the potential of all of the facilities.
Fortunately it’s the people that make a program great, not facilities. Penn State has a lot to offer in this regard!
I know PSU has lost a lot of good PA recruits who didn’t want to go there because of the poor facility and chose to go out of state.
Currently I think Wisconsin has the worst facilities in the Big 10. Our new competition pool won’t come on line until 2019. https://uwmadisonrecsports.wordpress.com/
Wisconsin at least has an indoor 50 meter pool for training. Penn State and MSU do not.
Well, if they get their new pool that will leave Michigan State with the worst facilities in the Big 10. The entire MSU program stinks. They have a rich tradition dating back to the 1950s and 1960s with NCAA champions, records, Olympians, etc. They have a couple of trophy cases with that history sitting right outside of the coaches offices on the 2nd floor. But it looks like they haven’t been touched since the 1960’s. inch of dust, bugs, pictures falling apart. you would think that if you had horrible facilities that you might put some effort into the things you could make look nice. Not at MSU. That is where swimmers go to die.
Spartans are already there. I’d say Penn State has better facilities.