Memo

To: Hamline students

From: Victor Lara
Date: 20 November 2014
Subject: Proposal to study the feasibility of the Hamline University having a new swim
pool.
Purpose
This proposal recommends that I study the feasibility for Hamline University to build a
new swim pool. I will then write a report with my recommendation stating if this project is
feasible or not.
Summary
The objective of this report is to determine if it is feasible for Hamline University to build
a new swimming pool complex. The participants in this study were 11 Hamline students who
filled out a questionnaire regarding their preferences and opinions about the project. Along with
the questionnaire, research has been made about other schools that also have fairly new
swimming pools through interviews and articles. This study shows that some students would use
the swimming pool occasionally; however, the main objective of this study is to analyze the
impact in the Swim and Dive team and the community. This paper concludes that the pool would
be used more often due to the demand of other clubs and the growth of the Swim and Dive
program. This project needs further analysis to figure out the amount of money needed to raise in
order to help with the costs.
Introduction
On October 2, 2014, I submitted a proposal requesting permission to research whether it
is feasible to build a new swimming pool complex at Hamline University. The objectives of this
study were to determine if it would be feasible for Hamline University to build a new swimming
pool; if the community would benefit with the new pool; and if the Swim and Dive team would
benefit.
The currently pool is used for swimming lessons, swim clubs, and college swimming and
diving teams. The pool is outdated and the maintenance of its surroundings is not often enough.
According to Hamline University website (2005), the pool was built in 1963 inside of the A.G
Bush Center where the exceptional facilities made it at once the social, recreational, and cultural
center of the campus (Hamline University). The technology has changed so fast that more
sustainable, useful, and profitable ways have been introduced to athletics facilities where the
athletes have better quality of materials to work with while training. No different in swimming
where the shape of the pool, the depth, and the surroundings can make an enormous impact in
the performance of an athlete.
An interview was conducted with the head swim and dive coach Ryan Hawke regarding
some aspects of the utility of the pool besides collegiate athletes. Hawke said we use the pool
for teaching swim lessons, open lap swim for the community, swim camps, summer programs
camps, rehab therapy of other sports of Hamline, class experiments, Special Olympics, and team
building activities (personal communication, November 2014). Even though it is outdated, the
pool can still hold and attract many different swim clubs and other activities for the community

showing the potential that can be used even more if the new swimming pool complex is built.
Because of the visibility and awareness of a new pool and the significant demand for swimming
pools, even with the daily expenses being higher than it is currently, the new contracts with the
customers can pay off the expenses and generate profit for the school. Not only outside programs
would come check our pool out but also the campus will benefit from this project. Some nonathletes also seek for a better quality of life specially during winter, when running or playing
outside make impossible with the weather here in Minnesota. People would be able to enjoy the
swimming pool and the weight room as both are located in the same complex.
Furthermore, all the positive outcomes from this project can also attract investors and
other businesses to donate money and invest in the project, as they will have their name in the
spotlight with the project. For instance, Carol and Dennis Anderson donated $10 million dollars
to go towards the construction of the new student center at Hamline University. For that reason,
the building received their names and Carol Anderson was also called to join the Hamline Board
of Trustees (Hamline News, 2014).
A good example of a new swimming pool complex that is doing well is the complex at
St. Thomas. I interviewed Tom Hodgson, ex-head swim&dive coach, regarding how their
program was and what it became after the construction. Hodgson said that before the new pool,
they had plenty of individual successes but never any kind of team success (personal
communication, November 2014). It changed after the new swimming pool complex where the
recruits would come in and see the excellent and brand new complex and it would make them
want to swim for St. Thomas. Also, Hodgson (2014) stated that it was impossible to bring an
elite swimmer to campus and convince him or her that we had a legitimate swimming program
when they saw the pool because they couldnt see any institutional commitment to the program.
Sometimes the same problem occur at Hamline where we have a really good staff and
individuals athletes performing well, but the program also needs the team to be strong in order to
make a difference. So recruits will enjoy the atmosphere and desire to be part of the
environment.
The solution for this problem is to analyze the following data and interpret the results to
have a more definitive solution. The next steps to be followed are methods, results, and
conclusions with the recommendation to this project.
Methods
My research followed the steps below:

I created a questionnaire to determine the feedback students would give me

regarding using the facility.

I emailed the questionnaire to the class.

I analyzed the data collected from the questionnaire and prepared graphical data
with statistical information.

I spoke with Ryan Hawke to determine the positive effects the project would
have.

I spoke to Tom Hodgson to determine how success is the new pool at St. Thomas.

I reviewed articles on the internet regarding the benefits for peoples health using
the swimming pool for exercise.

Using the Hamline Library, I researched the background about the current
swimming pool.

Criteria
After analyzing the above methods, recommendations were made based on the
following criteria:

Will be demand to use the new swim pool?

Is there a need for a new swimming pool complex at Hamline University?

How often would events be schedule if the pool is well advertised in the
community?

Will the community be benefited from this project?

Will the Aquatics manager be able to handle the daily expenses?

Qualifications and experience
I have been a student at Hamline University for two years, and I have a 2.8 grade point
average. I have completed one year at University of Wisconsin- River Falls with a Management
major.
Completion Schedule
Task
Distribute questionnaire
Analyze questionnaire data
Conduct interviews
Conduct online research
Complete graphic from
questionnaire data
Write report, abstract,
introduction, and table of
contents
Submit first rough draft
Submit revised rough draft

Data completed
Week of November 3rd
Week of November 3rd
Week of November 10th
Week of November 10th
Week of November 3rd
Week of November 10th
Week of November 10th
Week of November 17th

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