Augie Busch walked to the top of the stands overlooking the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center and surveyed the construction site.
Bulldozers were moving dirt around a huge square.
“I wonder where the dirt goes?” he asked. No one standing near him could answer.
The $13.2 million Hillenbrand Aquatic Center renovation will give Busch’s Wildcats the flexibility to create different course lengths, and allow UA to host all types of meets.
The length of the pool will grow to nearly 70 meters from 50. The new depth — eight feet at both ends and nine feet in the middle to allow for draining — is ideal for a major program, Busch said.
Construction crews are also re-positioning the seats so that fans won’t have to stand in the sun to get a better view.
“Anytime you can boast a new facility — that’s huge,” said Busch, who was hired last July to replace Rick DeMont. “The west building will be a space exclusive to the swimmers with a nutrition area, a classroom and an on-site place to hang out. No one else has that. In the south building, we will put our trophies and showcase our accomplishments.
“It’s going to be really nice. It will be up there in terms of water space. Stanford is the gold standard. I think we’ll be in the top 5. ASU has three pools — a long course, a smaller pool, and a diving well. We’ll be right up there with them, if not better.”
Construction started March 28. Crews are expected to finish by New Year’s Day.
In the meantime, UA swimmers are training at Amphitheater High School and using the Hillenbrand diving pool for practice.
UA assistant coach recovering from crash
Sarah Shimomura is not the only one in the Arizona swimming program who has been hit by a vehicle while riding a bike.
UA assistant coach Jeese Stipek was riding home from April’s Catsys — the student-athlete award banquet — when he was hit by an X-ray technician’s car.
Stipek was taken to Banner-University Medical Center, where he received X-rays on his pelvis, face, and both shoulders. He was also given a tetanus shot.
Stipek tore the rotator cuff in his right shoulder and suffered a hematoma in his right hip. He starts rehab Friday, one month after undergoing shoulder surgery. Full recovery may take a year.
Stipek has been getting tips on what to expect and do from fellow assistant coach Cory Chitwood.
“I think it’s interesting how Tucson is known for its safe biking, but I don’t necessarily believe that’s the case,” Stipek said. “I will get back on the bike once I’m recovered, but it will be a while. I am nervous and extremely aware of my surroundings. I would say it’s a little bit of PTSD as far as riding goes.”
First, Stipek will have to buy a new bike. His was totaled in the accident.
