On Aug. 1, 15 young fish were added to Delta’s long-revered koi pond.
Lenora Swearingen, co-owner of WPS construction, released the fish and said they adjusted swimmingly.
“They’re doing excellent,” said Swearingen. “They’ve been eating regularly, and grouped up with the other koi immediately.”
Swearingen has worked alongside her husband, co-owner of WPS construction, Bill Swearingen since 2006, together they’ve kept the pond looking pristine and the fish healthy.
Stacey Pinola Director of Facilities, Planning and Management at Delta also shared that these new schools of koi have been doing great, but last year there were some hiccups.
“… last year we added about the same, but cranes ended up eating most of them,” said Pinola.
The crane catastrophe was addressed this time around by having a net draped over the top, preventing further atrocities.
Besides the cranes, in the past five years only a few older koi fish have passed due to illness.
“The pond is always kept healthy,” said Pinola. “A couple sick fish have been removed and put down to prevent suffering — one had cancer in its eye.”
Pinola ensured that the only other reasons these fish are put down is to maintain the integrity of the water, and to keep the other koi happy and healthy.
For decades the koi pond has been the beating heart of Delta, serving as a focal point for students where they, much like the koi, can group up and hang out.
“The koi pond has always been an integral part of Delta … the center of life on campus,” said Pinola.
Swearingen shared similar sentiments, noting the connectedness between generations of Delta students the koi pond is responsible for fostering.
“This pond is very near and dear to us … it’s clear people enjoy it. I’ve heard many stories…students seeing the koi as kids with their parents, then coming back to see them again as adults,” said Lenora Swearingen.
There are plans to add 15 more fish before the semester ends.
