Colby College in Waterville, Maine revealed pictures of their newly-completed pool on Facebook earlier today. The news of the pool’s completion is great not only for Colby College, but for the sport of swimming in Maine as well. With a new 50-meter pool, Colby now is home to the only Olympic-sized pool in the state of Maine. Colby Swimming and Diving is an NCAA DIII program, and a member of NESCAC.
The new pool is the largest in the NESCAC, and is expected to draw athletes from across the Northeastern United States. Per our original reporting from when the new pool was announced, the facility includes an indoor competition center with a 200-meter track and a multi-level, squash and aquatic centers, as well as a hockey arena and coaching and training suites.
The new pool was completed on time, as Colby was projecting opening in the summer of 2020 back when the plans for the facility were announced in the fall of 2017. Pools in Maine are allowed to be used for training currently, so long as social distancing and proper disinfecting methods are used. Here are Maine’s current guidelines on the use of pools:
- Pools must continue to follow Governor’s current Executive Order regarding gathering size.
- There is an increased risk of transmission in an indoor pool. Therefore:
- Indoor pools are recommended to be limited to single swimming lanes.
- Free/open swim times are not recommended for indoor pools at this time.
- Keep swimming pools properly cleaned and disinfected. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (with chlorine or bromine) of swimming pools should kill the virus that causes COVID-19.
- Swimming pool directors must plan for cleaning and disinfection of items that are typically shared between individuals.
- Face coverings should not be worn in the pool.
- Physical distancing must be maintained to the extent possible in the pool, on the pool deck, in diving board areas, and seating areas.
- Common touch surfaces such as hand rails, ladders, and diving platforms, should be cleaned and disinfected frequently.
- Hot tubs and spas may be used provided that patrons are maintaining physical distancing at all times and using a face covering. (Updated 6/24/20)
- For water playgrounds and water parks, refer to the Outdoor Amusements checklist for guidance. (Updated 6/24/20)
- Swimming in the ocean, lakes and ponds is allowed. Physical distancing must be maintained on any beach areas.
Great for Colby and the state of Maine!!
One note: Colby’s conference (NESCAC) is the New England Small College Athletic Conference NOT the Northeastern Athletic Conference.
A place for records to be broken and champions to be made. Go Aqua Mules!
Another great Counsilman-Hunsaker designed pool!
What a wonderful gift the new Colby College pool will be for the state of Maine and, indeed, the New England swimming community. Congratulations to every member of the Colby Athletic Department that had a role to play in selling the idea to campus administrators, as well as those involved in the planning/designing of the facility itself. Coach Tom Burton has to be ecstatic about how this is going to positively impact his team’s future. Can’t wait to watch the Colby Mules build on past successes and bring additional competitiveness to the already strong New England Small College Athletic Conference. This is exciting news!
Nice looking pool.