Have you seen Lake Lipscomb lately?

You may remember plans in the fall to turn the space behind the baseball field into a pond — complete with fountain, flowers and walking paths.

Well, that big hole – informally referred to as Lake Lipscomb — has been behind the field all semester now. So what is taking so long?

The completion of the pond has been slowed by all the heavy rains that make the underground springs below the site constantly filled with water. The ground has to be completely dry for the project to be finished. The plan now is to complete the pond this summer.

The idea of for the fountains came about after Lipscomb executives visited many universities around the country and saw that many schools have multiple water features that really enhance their campuses.

“The University believed that the corner of Granny White and Shackleford was the perfect place for such a water feature to really enhance that area of the university from an eyesore to a beautiful pond, fountain, wonderful landscaping and a place for all to enjoy,” said Director of Campus Enhancement Tom Wood.

Also in the works for this summer is a fountain in Bison Square.

It will be unique in that it will also double as a baptistry for Lipscomb students. This idea has been in the works for a while, but the university its took time considering multiple locations for the baptistry.

Officials finally decided to put it right in the center of campus. Some of the planting areas will be removed to make way for the new fountain-baptistery combo. Construction will begin immediately after graduation, and the new addition will be ready by the fall semester.

Students have mixed feeling about the new fountain, as some don’t want their beloved square to change at all. Others are fine with the addition and believe it will be a beautiful enhancement.

“I think having a fountain in the middle of Bison Square will make the campus look nicer,” said Junior English major Ashlan Williams from Nashville, Tenn.

President Randy Lowry says he is excited about both projects and anticipates them being completed in the fall.

And Wood is anxious to show off the results when students return in the autumn.

“The pond and fountain projects will be great enhancements to the university, and we know that our students will get many years of enjoyment from these new campus improvements,” Wood said.