The University of Georgia hasn't shown why it needs to tear down Legion Pool and replace it with a newer one, state preservationists say.

The Historic Preservation Division sent a letter to university architects questioning a plan to demolish the beloved 77-year-old pool. UGA says it's leaky and expensive to maintain.

Documents and photographs UGA submitted to the division for review show no evidence of deterioration or needed repairs, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer David Crass wrote. He also questioned why UGA wants to build a new $2.6 million pool when renovating Legion Pool would cost an estimated $490,000.

Crass offered to help find an alternative to demolishing Legion Pool, but the HPD's findings are nonbinding, so UGA is under no obligation to take him up on the offer, said Amy Kissane, director of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation.

UGA spokesman Tom Jackson referred questions to Vice President for Finance and Administration Tim Burgess, who is on vacation this week.

Meanwhile, local residents continue to organize to save Legion Pool, starting an online petition at Gopetition,com and a Facebook group to gather photos, information and memories.

"It's a beloved community institution," said Sara Baker, one of the organizers. "Generations of Athenians learned to swim there."