Huntingdon College breaks ground on new outdoor pool

Huntingdon College marked a significant milestone in its campus development on Tuesday, breaking ground on a state-of-the-art outdoor swimming pool. The event, held on the main campus in Montgomery, included President Anthony Leigh, members of the Board of Trustees, and representatives of the Student Government Association (SGA). This groundbreaking initiative initiated the first phase of the Heart of Huntingdon Campaign, an ambitious project launched last October to enhance student wellness with an outdoor pool and indoor wellness facility.

Addressing an enthusiastic audience of students and guests, President Leigh emphasized the broader impact of the new “addition. “Huntingdon College is increasingly recognized as one of the South’s premier pre-professional colleges. I have often said that students come to Huntingdon with a measure of ambition, and a desire to get a great pre-professional education in a faith-based environment and to fully participate in the life of the College. But a Huntingdon education is more than a great academic experience offered in iconic spaces like Bellingrath Hall and Flowers Hall. Huntingdon is also a social experience, and students need spaces on campus that enable them to have outlets for their residential living experience, the uniqueness of the Huntingdon village, and the opportunity Huntingdon’s small, close-knit community affords our students to form relationships and connections for a lifetime.

The pool, described as a resort-style facility, will be situated behind Jackson Home and is expected to open in the fall of 2025. Leigh also highlighted how the initiative aligns with the College’s strategic goals to enrich residential living and further its commitment to student-centered development.

SGA President Blake Smith echoed Leigh’s excitement, telling the crowd, “On behalf of the student body, I want to thank President Leigh for your student-centered leadership and that you truly care about each student; thank you. This pool will serve as a place where students can connect, alleviate the stresses of College, and bring in prospective students. Thank you to the countless men and women who have pledged their support for this project. May God’s favor shine on Huntingdon College for generations to come.”

Several college leaders and student representatives joined President Leigh and President Smith at the groundbreaking, including Board of Trustees Chairman Leura Garrett Canary, Former Chairman Dave Borden, Former Chairman Laurie Weil, Student Judicial Board Chief Justice Ariel Dixon, SGA Vice President Benjamin Barker, SGA Treasurer Evan Bergeron, SGA Public Relations Angela Mazza, and SGA Secretary Emma Grace Samples.

The Heart of Huntingdon Campaign represents a continued investment in the College’s mission to foster academic excellence, faith-based learning, and community building. Gifts to support the campaign can be made at Huntingdon College.