The future of the swimming and diving program at the University of Wyoming could depend on whether the school is able to convince state legislators to help finance facility renovations, according to the Casper Star-Tribune.
Wyoming’s board of trustees is reportedly seeking $50 million from the state to fund renovations to two athletics facilities: the football stadium and Corbett Pool. While the football renovations will grab attention simply by being relevant to the school’s most visible sport, the aquatics facilities are in dire need of an upgrade if the program is going to continue into the future.
“We want to build a pool where swimming and diving can be here for 50 years,” athletic director Tom Burman told the Star-Tribune. “If we do nothing, somebody’s going to have to make a decision about the future of swimming. We don’t have to do it tomorrow, but we’re going to have to do it someday because we’re having a very difficult time getting team’s here.”
The six-lane, 25-meter Corbett Pool is smaller than those at rival schools — which often boast eight-lane, 50-meter competition pools. As such, Wyoming hosts most of its meets at a local high school.
The two projects are expected to cost at least $75 million, though Burman said he believed the school would be able to attract $25 million in private funding. Whether the state contributes what’s needed likely won’t be decided until next year, according to the Star-Tribune.
