Instructors and coaches who use Gabel Hall’s pool are breathing a sigh of relief this semester, now that repairs to the roof and pool there are completed.

The pool was renovated after it was closed in December 1985 because of damage caused by a leaking roof.

Jerry Ball, physical education department chairman, said he “tries not to think about” the two years worth of work done on the pool, because it resulted in moving all classes and practices held there to the pool in Anderson Hall.

“It was a very tight situation (at Anderson),” Ball said. “Holding all programs there from six in the morning to ten or eleven at night barely gave us a chance to clean the pool.”

Ball said the Anderson pool was accommodating swimmers from campus recreation, the athletic department and physical education classes while Gabel was closed.

But he said conditions have improved.

“Everyone is delighted now that (Gabel’s pool is) done. We’ve got some time flexibility at both pools now, and Gabel’s pool looks a lot better.”

NIU swimming coach David Clark agreed, but said it was difficult to get space and time at Anderson’s pool.

“I’m glad that we don’t have to hold swimming practices from 9:30 to 11:30 (at night) anymore,” Clark said. “It’s a much nicer place to work. It was kind of a dungeon in there before, but now it’s very well lit.”

Conrad Miller, physical plant project manager, said no date has been set for the renovation of Gabel Hall’s gym into a dance studio, because it is a new project that has just been planned.

Randall Newsom, assistant professor of theater arts and dance, said the dance studio’s construction would “help the dance program grow a lot faster and a lot more.

“Right now we have one studio. But (rehearsal space is) getting smaller, now that we have up to 21 people in some of our classes.”

Newsom said dance students find it hard to get into their academic classes, since the studio has to teach from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.