Finals and winter keep new pool quiet

   Students enjoy the addition of a recreational pool to the Residence Life area but cold weather and the stress of finals has limited its use.

   The $1.1 million pool opened with no official event or announcement Dec. 3. It was built as a recreational alternative to the Allred Aquatics Center, which is primarily used for athletic purposes. The new pool is heated, which drew freshman film production major Kaelyn Moore.

   "The water is actually really warm," Moore said. "It was a great way to de-stress during finals."

    Moore said the new pool area, named The Panther Beach Club, wasn't crowded during finals week because of the cold weather and students were busy studying.

   The day the pool opened, Ryan Wardell, a sophomore public relations and advertising major, was playing volleyball with friends at the dorms' sand court when the pool's architect invited them to be the first ones to jump in the water.

   "It's heated so it's comfortable," Wardell said. "But it's small so there's not much you can do."

   The pool was crowded the weekend before finals because it was warmer outside, Wardell said.

   Moore and Wardell said more students would hang out at the pool area at night if Chapman installed a hot tub.

   Deborah Miller, director of housing and residence life, said no resident advisers have planned events at the new pool yet, but probably will in the spring.