Pursuant to budget cuts and Hurricane Rita damage, administrators of the Rec Complex at McNeese have decided not to heat the pool until further notice. Triathletes and swimmers, competitive and fitness, in addition to McNeese students, have been forced to look elsewhere for a swimming alternative in SWLA. For many, this means a 15-20 minute drive to Sulphur since the other 2 major pools in the area (OLQH & YMCA) were also shut down by Hurricane Rita. We believe the university may change its mind if it sees that its decision results in a loss of income. While they have eliminated a significant expense, they have also reduced a major source of revenue as many masters swimmers and triathletes have not renewed their Rec memberships, not to mention the lost revenue from Lake Area Pirates Swimming. We would like to be able to present to the McNeese administration a quantifiable list of people who have not joined or renewed their memberships because of the lack of a swimming pool. If you would at least CONSIDER membership at the Rec if the pool were reopened then please sign this petition. If you would DEFINITELY join or renew your membership if the pool reopens (and stays open during the cold months) then please indicate so in the comments section.