Sports complex reopens

The+pool+in+the+Loyola+University+Sports+Complex

The newly renovated pool in the University Sports Complex is finally ready for swimmers to dive in. The complex was closed after sustaining damages from Hurricane Ida. Courtesy of Camal Petro

Abigail Schmidt, Sports Editor

The Wolf Pack can finally come home Thursday morning at 8 a.m. to the University Sports Complex, the athletics department announced in an email Wednesday.
After a long-awaited opening due to the complex’s need for renovations following Hurricane Ida last August, the building is back open.
The university sent an email about the building’s indefinite closure in late July, stating that the basketball court was undergoing sanding and refinishing after water damage from the hurricane.
Students, staff, and faculty will retain free access to the facility, and community patrons’ memberships will unfreeze on the reopening date Thursday, said Brett Simpson, the director of athletics. Guest fees to the gym are still $10, and guests must be accompanied by a Loyola community/sports complex member at all times. There is a two-guest limit, and guests must provide a photo ID upon entrance to the facility.
Simpson announced that the facility’s racquetball court will also reopen later this month. Loyola is also currently working to hire lifeguards for the pool amid a city-wide lifeguard shortage.