Natatorium (side) facing West

[1966?–1985?]

This photograph shows the west side of the Art Linkletter Natatorium at Springfield College. In this photograph can be seen piles`of dirt, a ladder in the background and a vehicle in the right corner. It appears this photo was taken during construction that occurred either at the natatorium or around it. This photograph could have been taken either during the Groundbreaking, which took place on April 30, 1966, or during the construction of the Physical Education Complex during the early '80s. The natatorium had steel arches rising to 45 ft at their peaks. The pool was 1691' long and 44' wide, and was 4' deep at the south end and 126' deep at the deep end. With a movable bulkhead that could shorten and lengthen the pool, it was the longest indoor collegiate pool in the Eastern US at that time. The Olympic-sized pool had permanent bleachers that could seat 490 spectators and roll-out bleachers that could seat 510. There were two classrooms with underwater picture windows that allowed coaches and instructors to observe the swimmers. Underwater speakers allowed them to correct swimming technique as they were swimming. There was also a closed circuit television system to further analyze swimming skills.