Wisconsin’s new rec center and aquatics facility – expected to open in January of 2020 – has been delayed by weather and won’t open until at least late 2020.
The school announced the news this week. The Nicholas Recreation Center was originally expected to open in January, but the school says a summer-of-2018 flood and extremely low temperatures last winter have pushed back the project.
“As a result of these challenges, the Nicholas Recreation Center is not expected to open before the latter part of 2020,” the school’s press release says.
The new rec center is to feature a 50-meter pool with a separate diving well for the Badger swimming & diving teams. The new pool will also have spectator seating for 1200 – previously, their long course training facility didn’t have spectator seating, and the team’s meets have been held in its short course, 8-lane natatorium. The school says issues related to the pool tank and several other parts of the facility have caused the delay.
Madison Wisconsin’s Channel 3000 reports that students this school year won’t be able to use the new facility, but are paying for it through increased fees. Channel 3000 says UW-Madison students are paying an extra $170 a semester in part to help fund the new facility. Back in 2014, 87% of students approved of a fee increase to build the new rec center, though only 35% of students participated in the survey.
Wisconsin doesn’t have many home meets on its schedule this season to be affected by the delay. Wisconsin was set to host Northwestern on January 25 and will hold an intrasquad meet on February 2.
Extremely low winter temperatures in Wisconsin. Can’t anticipate something like that.
Temperatures were lower than the normal -20 last winter, and for a longer period.
Yes, with climate change we have seen in Wisconsin more extreme and stormy weather the past few years. We currently have 5 inches of snow on the ground in southern Wisconsin which is unheard of for the beginning of November.
Hmmm Global Warming
Club level state championships were supposed to be there July 24-26, 2020
Bummer. Second delay for this pool! Building amazing facilities like this one only helps our sport. Good luck and thank you!
Is summer of 2021 late 2020?