Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photo by Rachel Alexander

Pond to boast brilliant Marlins

Heather Templeton

hntempleton@vwc.edu

As Virginia Wesleyan strives to earn Phi Beta Kappa, an academic honor society that recognizes excellence in undergraduate liberal arts, improvements to the college continue.

Plans project the construction of Lingo Stadium, a turf field for lacrosse and field hockey, as well as the relocation and expansion of the tennis courts. Improvements will also be made to the baseball and softball fields.

 When construction displaces permeable land with impermeable structure, a retention pond has to be built, said Bruce Vaughan, vice president of operations.  This is to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Virginia Wesleyan College is in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Because of the location, it is mandatory that a retention pond be built for water run-off. The purpose of the retention pond is to capture the run-off and allow the silt impurities to fall to the bottom so that clean water is left on the surface.

 The top water is the water that usually carries, said Vaughan.  Although the water from the retention pond will probably never see the Chesapeake Bay, it will definitely help clean Lake Taylor.

Unlike the current dry ponds that are on campus, this one will take the presence of a wet pond. The difference between a dry pond and a wet pond is that a dry pond doesn t hold the run-off and is less efficient than a wet pond, which holds the water and allows time for the silt to simmer to the bottom.

 I believe that this retention pond only aids in our sustainability efforts, said Phillip Perdue, interim vice president for college advancement.

The retention pond currently being constructed is located between the Trinder Center and baseball field. It is being constructed from one existing dry pond into two larger wet ponds. When the retention pond is finished, it will be 2 acres in size.

The pond as originally designed wasn t going to be spectacular. However, with the donation of a 14-foot bronze marlin statue, the design to the pond changed.

 The bronze marlin took the pond from a mundane look to an artistic structure, said Vaughan.  The marlin will be in the middle of the pond looking like it is jumping out of the water.

The perimeter of the pond will be landscaped and natural looking. It is hoped to be a place where students, faculty, staff and visitors can sit and admire the beauty.

 I am excited about the beautification and construction of this pond, especially the bronze marlin, said Brad Jones, student government association vice president.  It is definitely going to bring life and beauty to our campus.

Before the construction could begin on the pond, a large mound of dirt from the construction of the Batten Center had to be moved. This large mound, also known as  Mount Wesleyan, stood behind the bleachers of the baseball field. It served as a windbreak and seating area for baseball games.

The mound of dirt was budgeted to be taken away, but after discussion it was decided that the dirt would be used to build berms on the border of campus. This is also an effort to be environmentally responsible by using natual aspects of the campus.

A berm is an earthen wall built usually for some kind of protection. The berms are on the perimeter of campus and serve many purposes.

 We have a very barren and flat campus, said Perdue.  The designer explained that the berms will frame the natural beauty of the college, make it more dimensional and more attractive.

Not only will the berms serve as a visual break but also as a noise barrier. The berms stand 4 feet tall at the highest points and make it hard for cars passing by to see the practice fields where many of the athletic teams practice. They are expected to limit the amount of cat-calling and distractions from Wesleyan Drive.

The berms also serve as a deterrent for people, specifically non-VWC students, from walking onto campus.

 Right now the berms look like hills of dirt, said Jones.  I think once they start growing grass everything will look a lot better.

The final shaping of the berms is projected to be soon. No official date has been set yet.

 The grass that is currently growing is not the grass that will be used, said Vaughan.  After the shaping, grass will be planted, but the full impact of it will not be until the spring, when the grass grows.

The grass on the side will be regular bermuda and rye, but the top will be made from a mixture of four different ornamental grasses. The ornamental grasses used are to make the berms look more attractive.

The upkeep of the berms will be regular and have been constructed so that the mowers the college now owns will still be able to cut the grass.

 The goal of these projects is to make the college campus more attractive and functional, said Perdue.  This helps draw more top students and faculty, which is our ultimate goal.