Con pool to get wet for the first time since '86

The conservatory is about to reflect its talent a little more clearly.

The Conservatory's reflecting pool, surrounded by a Japanese garden, has been idle since 1986. "The Pond" was left inactive for 12 years due to leaks that formed in the concrete base of the fountain. Water was into the TIMARA studios, located in the Conservatory basement, when the pond was drained for winter cleanouts each year. Vision from administrators catalyzed the resurrection of the serene pool.

"Nancy Dye really wanted it to be restored," said Grounds Manager Dennis Greive.

Most Conservatory students only know the pool as an arid eyesore. "It looked real ugly last year, like a desert," said conservatory junior Phoebe Chun. The renaissance of the pool should prove to be an aesthetically pleasing addition to the campus.

Greive and his crew installed a new overflow system and a pump with five skimmers to clean out leaf and twig debris. "It was a technically daunting project," said Greive.

The new design does not incorporate any of the original pipe-work. In questionable condition 12 years ago, the derelict system had deteriorated, and was not worth using in the new structure.

To aid in the redesign, Oberlin commissioned renowned architect David Slawson to supervise the artistic layout of the Pond. Greive said, "He is the leading Japanese designer in the country."

Slawson used his expertise to refurbish the Pond while making use of some of the already existing materials. To add to the already existing rock garden, 16 tons of rock were trucked in from a local quarry .

Workers played the important role of arranging the boulders according to Slawson's specifications. "A lot of his design energy was spent selecting rocks and arranging them in an artistic way so that water is accessible," said Grieve.

Particular attention was directed towards retaining the original 1964 design, created by Minoru Yamasaki. A photo from the original dedication ceremony was used as a reference to reset the stones. 12 tons of weathered limestone, which were virtually irreplaceable, remain intact in the refurbished pool.

Greive said, "All of the original plant material has stayed." A Character Pine valued at $45,000 is one of the more notable pieces of vegetation. The tree was privately donated to the original site.

Weather continues to push back the opening of the pool. If all goes as planned, the pool should be operational by next Friday.

Getting wet: The Conservatory pool, which has been dry since 1986, will get filled up next week if weather permits. (photo by Pauline Shapiro)