Luther College breaks ground on new Aquatics Center

(Left to right) Shannon (Miller) Duval, representing the Miller family, major donors to the project; Campus Pastor Michael Blair; Luther President Richard Torgerson; Luther College Board of Regents Chair Paula Meyer; Luther senior and two-time all-American swimmer Stephanie Drewes; and Luther swimming and diving team head coach Lance Huber. (Luther College Photo by Jerry Johnson)

Luther College officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the new Luther Aquatic Center.  About 200 people attended the ceremony.

The $5.5 million aquatic center will be built on the northeast corner of the Regents Center on Luther's lower campus. The 17,700 square-foot facility will include 8 competition width lanes with a consistent water depth of 8 feet; a 14-foot deep diving area allowing for expanded three-meter high board competition; a shallow area for adaptive physical education classes, swimming lessons, water aerobics, and more; state-of-the-art timing mechanisms; a larger deck and diving space allowing Luther to host larger and more prestigious competitions and seating for over 250 spectators.