As some girls get set to swim on the final weekend of the season at New Trier, it seems like a good time to wonder why they don’t have a better venue for the state meet.
That’s not to say Evanston and New Trier, site of this year’s meet, are unsuitable. In fact, as far as I know, those natatoriums hold the most fans. They also are institutions, dripping with tradition.
But how come nearly 100 percent of the fans can’t watch these meets every year? While Evanston and New Trier can host the most people, they can’t accommodate all the fans who want to be inside the building and enjoy in the excitement.
Glenbrook North coach Robin Walker is among a chorus of swim constituents who believe the Chicago area and state at large deserve a venue commiserate with the talent floating around the pools in Illinois.
Walker, like many others, thought an Olympic bid to Chicago also would have brought an indoor swim facility rivaled by none other. Such a natatorium could have been used to host a high school state swimming meet.
But Chicago lost out to Rio de Janeiro.
So, what’s next? Walker thinks private donors need to step forward and initiate something, perhaps in concert with the state. Whatever it takes, these girls should be able to swim in front of any and all adoring fans.
