 "Photo: N/A")
Students heading off for their daily swim at Leroy T. Walker Complex are in for a surprise--the pool is closed.
Last Wednesday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services shut down the Olympic-sized pool because of a one-inch crack in a drain cover in the deep end of the pool.
The crack puts the pool in violation of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act.
The Act, which went into effect in 2008, was passed to prevent entrapment in drain suction pumps after the 7-year-old granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker III was killed when she was sucked into the drain of a hot tub in 2002.
In all, 36 deaths in the past two decades have been caused by entrapment in swimming pools and hot tubs.
"Old pools have to be retrofitted with new drain covers that prevent entrapment," said Thornton Draper, aquatics director and associate professor in the physical education department.
Draper said replacing the faulty drain cover cost $500. The cover was repaired last week.
But, adding insult to injury, the pool was hit by last week's power surge,
which knocked out the motor.
"The motor of the pool keeps the water and chlorine flowing," said Virginia Politano, chair of the physical education and recreation department.
"Last Thursday the motor burned out because of too many amps. It caused a fire and the motor died," said Politano.
Draper said all the repairs to the pool were made but there is another problem.
"Right now it is hard to say when the pool will be opened," said Draper. He said, "low water pressure is now delaying the opening of the pool."
According to Draper, once the pool is filled it may take several days for the water's pH balance to reach safe levels.
"It is an inconvenience because I temporarily do not have a job," said lifeguard Uthman Claiborne, fitness and wellness junior.
"It's not good because recently there has been an increase in people coming to the
In the meantime, swim classes are watching swim technique movies, according to Politano.
The pool has been in operation since 1985 when the LeRoy T. Walker complex was built.
According to Politano, NCCU's pool is one of the few of its size in the area and NCCU is one of the few historically black universities with such a pool.
Students desperate for their daily swim might consider Campus Hills Recreation Center, a nearby indoor public swimming facility at 2000 S. Alston Ave.
The Center can be reached at 919.560.4781.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now