FARGO -- North Dakota State University students want to build a new, $11 million swimming facility on campus.
Students would foot the entire bill for the new aquatic center, a facility with competitive and recreational pools to be added to the school's exercise center in north Fargo, through a staggered, $113 increase in annual student fees.
Once finished -- expected in 2017 or 2018 -- students could use the pools for free. Metro-area residents could buy a pass through the school to go swimming when it opens.
"For many, many, many years, it's been a concern that we're a Division I school, but we don't have a pool on campus," said Robbie Lauf, president of the school's student government.
The State Board of Higher Education will discuss on May 23 the plan for a new facility at NDSU. The board needs to sign off before the project moves ahead.
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Construction wouldn't start until at least 2015 because the Legislature also needs to approve the project. The Legislature doesn't reconvene until early 2015.
The project has been "entirely student-driven," said NDSU spokeswoman Laura McDaniel.
NDSU students held an election in April to weigh in on the project. Of the 2,400 who voted -- about 18 percent of the student body -- 60 percent approved of building the swimming pool using student fees.
The results of that vote prove NDSU students are itching for a new swimming facility on campus and are willing to pay for it, Lauf said.
Starting this fall, NDSU students would pay $58 more a year in fees to cover the construction costs for the 29,000-square-foot addition to the school's Wallman Wellness Center. Another $54 increase would be added starting in fall 2016.
