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A Proposal for the Addition of Indoor Aquatic Services

Tylar McGill
Communications Studies and English Major at Christopher Newport University
Report Distributed April 22, 2015

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April 21, 2015

Dr. Nicole Emmelhainz

Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue of the Arts
Newport News, VA 23606
Dear Dr. Emmelhainz,
This document is a proposal here at CNU for the addition of aquatic services and an indoor pool.
I am proposing that with the creation of an indoor pool for student recreational use .There are
multiple benefits to Christopher Newport Universitys investment in an indoor poor. Firstly, the
University would see greater student satisfaction. Secondly, an increase in interest from potential
future students and lastly recognition as a distinguished academic system that continues to
educate its campus through applicable life skills.
There are only a few downsides of the addition of an indoor pool, the most poignant being the
budget. Incorporating an indoor pool means significant expenses that extend from construction,
to staffing and repairs. This may create opposition to the project, but ultimately an investment in
an aquatic facility will attract potential students, promote an active campus community and
continue to educate the student body through applicable water skills.
In this proposal, there is evidence to support the addition of an indoor pool as well as a research
plan. An estimated budget is in included and my qualifications for proposing this research can be
found.

Sincerely,

Tylar McGill
ABSTRACT
The allure of Christopher Newport University would be greatly enhanced with the addition of an
indoor poor. This project is important because it will enable the student body to practice water
safety skills, deliver varying options for an alternative healthy lifestyle and ensure that upon
graduation each student can pass a swimming test. While there is liability associated with

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running an indoor aquatic facility, if handled with the great proficiency the addition of a pool
will only positively serve the CNU (Christopher Newport University) community. This proposal
begins with a description of the problem and follows with a schedule of work that presents the
tentative timeline of the project. The proposal extends to bring to light the researchers
qualifications and the anticipated involvement of the faculty member advisor. Finally, an
estimated cost for the project is determined and defined.

CONTENTS
Abstract..

Proposal .....

Literature Review...

Research Plan.. 5

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Researcher Qualifications... 5
Budget .. 7
Reference.. 8

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PROPOSAL
This proposal is designed to present a pool and the benefits it will have on the student body. With
the addition of an aquatic facility students would be able to participate in a wide variety of in
water activities. A pool would also serve to enhance the universitys appeal to potential students
and give the opportunity for current students to acquire basic water skills. While there may be no
immediate problem with not providing this service to students, access to an indoor pool would
serve to be a solution for the future. The CDC states that Drowning is the third leading cause of
death from unintentional injury worldwide (2014.) and that Most of the 7000 deaths from
drowning that occur each year in the U.S. are preventable. (Drowning). With this knowledge,
CNU can raise standards; implement mandatory swim instruction courses and a mandatory swim
test to ensure that all students, when leaving CNU are equipped with basic water skills.
CNU, located within short distance of the Atlantic, was founded in honor of Captains
Christopher Newport and his voyage that brought him to America. The University mascot is a
captain and our education appears to take on a nautical theme, nonetheless our school does not
offer a facility to educate and train students in water skills. With the addition of an indoor aquatic
facility, the CNU community would be able to enjoy mandatory instructional swim lessons and
water activities all while become stronger swimmers. The addition of a pool would promote
swimming as an alternate form of cardio in which students would be given the opportunity to
experience.

LITERATURE REVIEW
While there were not a significant amount of articles addressing mandatory swim tests in
Universities across the nation, there was a great deal of information backing the prevention of
drowning through swim lessons. The Red Cross says that more than half of all Americans (54
percent) either cant swim or dont have all of the basic swimming skills. (2014). This provides
the university with a great opportunity to educate and ensure that those passing through CNU
will be able to perform basic swimming skills upon graduation. Belkin states in reference to the
mandatory swim lessons that college is one of the last chances for mass instruction
(2006). However, beyond the reasons of survival, the ability to swim is multifaceted. Stempski
discusses the benefits of swimming, stating that Swimming promotion therefore addresses two
public health priorities, obesity prevention and injury prevention (2015). Students at CNU
participating in aquatic exercises, provided by the university, would not only be taking the
precautions towards preventable in-water incidents but also leading active lives and creating
healthy habits.

RESEARCH PLAN

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First, and foremost my research would begin with surveying the student body and their support
for a pool. If the numbers are significant I would back the voice of the students with findings on
other universities and their success in running an on campus facility, as well as their aquatic
facility and its allure to potential students. I would conduct more research on the overall benefits
that swimming has on the students. Following my research I would present the idea to Dean
Hughes, dean of students and await his approval. Upon his word, I would then I am limited in
what I can do after his approval other than follow his lead on the project at hand.

RESEARCH TIME LINE

Week 1

Survey Students

Send Emails

Week 2

Conduct comparative
research

Evaluate Survey
Results

Week 3

Propose to Dean
Hughes

Present to President
Trible
Table 1.1

RESEARCHER QUALIFICATIONS
As a student-athlete I have taken on many forms of responsibility and
maturity. Balancing my passion with my course work has allowed for many
opportunities to grow and challenge myself. I am well equipped to handle
criticism and direct feedback towards my projects - being a student-athlete
has prepared me to be a driven and flexible team member. Among the
courses I have taken, as a communications major, I continue to adequately
express myself through refined verbal expression and public speaking. I have
excellent experience serving as a lifeguard for Virginia Beach Lifesaving
Services and have come to value the art of swimming and the benefits that
this form of cardio provides. With great insight on water skills, I can
passionately present my research.

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BUDGET
The estimated budget for this project is quite pricey and can run anywhere between $25,000
50,000. The size of the pool will greatly affect the pricing of it, like most things. On average a
pool will run at about 50$ per square foot and the same goes for depth. The deeper the pool, the
more expensive labor and materials become. Typically, a pool can cost about 10% of its initial
installation each year due to general maintenance in addition to chemicals, the pump and heating.
The university will also need to pay to staff the pool with lifeguards as well as equipment and the
instructors to teach lessons.

MATERIAL

PRICE

Installation

25,000-50,000

Maintenance and
Chemicals

2,000-6,000

Instruction & Staffing

100,000
Table 1.2

REFERENCES

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(2014, May 15). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/WaterSafety/drown-activities.html
Drowning (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from http://0-

icof.infobaselearning.com.read.cnu.edu/icofencyarticle.aspx?ID=6957&sr=1
The Average Monthly Cost to Run a Swimming Pool. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/average-monthly-cost-run-swimming-pool-71174.html
Could You Pass These College Swim Tests? (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from
http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2012/11/28/could-you-pass-these-college-swim-tests/
Belkin, D. (2006, May 8). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/05/08/time_to_sink_or_graduate/?
page=full
Red Cross Launches Campaign to Cut Drowning in Half in 50 Cities. (2014, May 20). Retrieved
April 22, 2015, from http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/Red-Cross-LaunchesCampaign-to-Cut-Drowning-in-Half-in-50-Cities
Stempski, S. (2015). Everyone Swims: A Community Partnership and Policy Approach to
Address Health Disparities in Drowning and Obesity. Health Education & Behavior, 42.
Retrieved April 21, 2015, from Sage Journals.