The long-awaited inauguration of the newly renovated swimming pool — now renamed the Cowhig Family Aquatic Center — will take place this Saturday afternoon, October 7, from 2:30 to 3:30. The whole community is welcome.

The inauguration will feature remarks by President Hagelin and friends of the pool, a ribbon cutting, a tour of all the renovated features, and a “delectable edibles buffet.”

It may or may not, however, include swimming.

That depends on whether the Iowa state pool inspector comes before Saturday to give final approval to open the pool. The official policy is no inspections after September 30 each year, when the swimming season is considered over.

MIU officials have requested an exception.

Otherwise, we can indulge in dipping toes, dangling legs, and looking forward to a full season starting in the spring.

The pool was last open during the 2019 season. The Covid pandemic kept it closed the next two summers. And by 2022, the widening cracks in the deck made clear that the pool needed major renovation.

Trustee emeritus Dr. Vincent Argiro — the lead donor for the Argiro Student Center — stepped forward and led the way with the private donations that made this renovation possible. The overall budget, donor funded, is about $1 million.

Dr. Argiro chose the name Cowhig Family Aquatic Center in honor of the Cowhig family of British Columbia, Canada, a number of whom have contributed significantly to MIU.

Here’s what’s new

• brand new 12,000-square-foot concrete deck, with a curving shape that looks like a lily pad from above 
• new structural wall around the pool below the deck
• complete replastering of the inner pool walls
• brand new water treatment system and new plumbing under the deck
• complete inside and outside renovation of the pool house
• fully enclosed utility building attached to the north end of the pool house to house water treatment machinery, providing security, weather protection, and storage
• a wooden gazebo, providing shade, snacks, and battery recharging for mobile devices
• outdoor shower
• five large planters for flowers, shrubs, and trees 
• low diving board 
• basketball hoop  
• ADA access to the pool
• new service driveway to provide maintenance access
• new aluminum fencing
• lighting bollards around the deck’s outer edge
• landscaping, grading, and seeding 

Photos by Soren Pearson and Craig Pearson.