Luther College reaches a milestone in its funding for a new Aquatics Center

Luther College has met a fundraising challenge in support of the Luther College Aquatic Center.  Luther alumni David and Patricia Miller of Fort Myers, Florida had given $500,000 towards the cost of the aquatic center--on the condition that other donors would contribute $1 million by September.  The college announced Tuesday that it has met the challenge in less than six months.

The college is now within $900,000 of reaching the overall project goal of $5.9 million.  As a result, the Luther College Board of Regents will be asked at its meeting Friday to authorize the groundbreaking for the project.  Pending the regents' authorization, a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the project site on the northeast side of the existing Regents Center. The public is invited to attend.
          
Construction of the new Luther College Aquatic Center is expected to begin this summer.  The new facility will feature a competition pool with eight lanes of a consistent eight-foot water depth and a 14-foot-depth diving area. The plan also includes a shallow pool for swimming lessons, adaptive physical education classes and water aerobics.  It will house intercollegiate competition, physical education, and fitness and wellness programs for students and community members.