Hawk News

MVCC Trustees call for updated pool and fitness center

At this afternoon's meeting of the Mohawk Valley Community College Board of Trustees, the Board voted to seek funding to keep MVCC's pool open with renovations, and to improve the College's fitness facilities for students and community members.

The plan was approved by unanimous vote of the trustees and drew support from Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. The vote was a key decision point in a public process that included a June 25 open forum with more than 60 community members. MVCC has also received numerous public comments, which were reviewed at a July 14 meeting of the Board's Facilities Committee and considered carefully by the MVCC administration and JMZ Architects.

The committee explored options including pool closure, repair, or replacement. The committee's final, unanimous recommendation to the full Board was that the existing pool be retained and improved for more community and College use, and that the Jorgenson Field House design be amended to provide for simultaneous enhancement of MVCC's fitness center. Following a motion and second by Trustees John Stetson and David Mathis, the full Board approved the committee's recommendation and authorized MVCC to seek the necessary funding.

Picente attended both the June 25 open forum and today's meeting. Today, he announced that in his proposal for the County's fiscal year 2009-2010 budget, he will include an additional capital project in support of the pool. "I want to thank this board and President VanWagoner for following a process that works, allowing the community to come in and voice their concerns," said Picente.

Said Board chair William Calli Jr., "On behalf of the entire board, I'd like to thank everyone who attended last month's public meeting and contacted us directly." On the opportunity to improve MVCC's dated fitness facilities, Calli said "that is a vital need for students and community, and we should be focusing on that as well as on the pool."

Further details, including the possibility of temporary pool shutdowns in 2010 to accommodate repairs and renovation, will be announced in the coming weeks. All current and scheduled programs at the pool will continue unless otherwise announced.