RADFORD -- The Radford University community can return to the pool on Monday, Dec. 8, as the $15.7 million Dedmon Center renovation project nears completion.

The natatorium will be open to RU students, faculty and staff Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-9 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday 12-5 p.m. The university’s swim and dive teams will have use of the pool at other times.

Swim memberships will also be offered to the general public.

Begun early this year, the Dedmon Center renovation has involved replacing the entire roof system and installing an HVAC system that will result in energy cost savings as well as a more comfortable environment. The state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to reopen January 21 with the return of men’s basketball against VMI and women’s basketball January 24 when it hosts Coastal Carolina.

Upon reopening, the center -- with the exception of the pool -- will be reserved exclusively for RU’s athletic programs.

“In reviewing similar policies at other Division I universities, we discovered that the majority restrict usage of their athletic facilities only to their Division I athletic programs,” said Robert Lineburg, athletic director. “Here at Radford, the number of RU student-athletes is growing -- as is the reputation of our overall athletic program -- and to help them excel in the top-tier Division I environment we believe that their development requires priority usage of the Dedmon Center.”

Recognizing the need for campus-wide recreational and exercise facilities, the administration plans to undertake $114.2 million in capital improvement projects in the coming years through auxiliary funds and university-paid debt. Top priorities with these funds are a new fitness center and an expansion of the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center.