Tyler ISD trustees have set aside up to $4 million for construction of an aquatic center, which would include an uncovered outdoor, Olympic-size swimming pool that officials envision would serve all students, not just the swimming team. 

What to do about the existing, rapidly deteriorating, indoor swimming facility near the intersection of New Copeland Road and Shiloh Road has been a simmering issue in the community for many years.

TISD trustees took action last week, unanimously approving allocating funds for construction of the swim facility, responding to reports from administrators that the current pool isn’t large enough to serve all students and has reached the end of its life.

Superintendent Marty Crawford said the project will be paid for out of a special projects fund accumulated “the old fashion way” in savings through the years in the general fund for emergencies, Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said, adding none of the funds will come from bond issues approved by voters for construction of academic facilities.

Thursday’s vote was followed by a lengthy discussion and presentation of a recommended conceptual design and site plan by a team of administrators and representatives of architectural and engineering companies contracted by the board in June.

The team proposed placing the new 25-meter by 50-meter pool on the grounds of the Career and Technology Center on Earl Campbell Parkway east of the existing automotive building.

The technology center would be a good location for the aquatic center, because there is plenty of room there, and the site already has utilities and parking space, Tyler ISD Facilities Director Tim Loper said.

A new walkway and crosswalk would provide entry to the pool and a deck. The entire facility would be surrounded by a fence and leave an area for potential expansion, Stephen Hulsey, of the Dallas-based Corgan architecture firm, said.

The plan includes spectator seating and lights for after-hours functions, as well as a control room that could be used as a ticket booth, concession area or whatever the district desires, Hulsey said.

Adjacent to the pool would be an equipment room and storage room. The complex also would have offices for two coaches, an electrical room, technology room, water fountains and visitor restrooms as well as identical local rooms with showers for girls and boys.

The architectural firm proposed using the same brick that was used in construction of the Career and Technology Center and other steps to give the pool site the same aesthetics as the center.

The design does not preclude the district putting a cover or constructing a building around the pool in the future, Hulsey said.

“This (uncovered pool) is the best shot in the 15 years that I’ve been here, and this (what to do about a) pool has been brought up every year that I’ve been here,” Loper said, adding that the team has provided flexibility in the proposed design.

“We have the option to cover it at a later date and put a conventional building on it,” Loper said.

School Board President Andy Bergfeld said, “Formal discussions have gone on for years. We are to a point now, we need to either get rid of the (swimming) program or do our job to support the program.”

An investigation last year determined construction of a basic covered facility would cost between $6 million and $8 million, and construction costs have since increased.

There was hope last year that funds could be raised in the community to help Tyler ISD pay for a basic covered swimming facility, but philanthropic funding did not materialize, the superintendent said.

It now appears that the district will have to take on the pool project by itself, administrators and board members said.

Construction of a full-fledged natatorium could run substantially higher than a basic pool, Crawford pointed out, noting Garland is building a natatorium for $20 million to $25 million, and Rockwall is building one for $19 million.

“We can’t sustain that,” Crawford said.

Previous Tyler ISD boards have been proponents of a swimming facility for students, but there was a contingency of residents who would not approve bond funding for a swimming pool, Trustee Orenthia Mason said.

It was “a hot-button issue” that failed with the public in 2002, TISD Director of Athletics Greg Priest said.

“Since our present facility is failing and kids need a place to swim, and we have a limited budget, therefore the outdoor option might be the best way to start,” Trustee Wade Washmon said.

Bergfeld asked if there is an option for providing shade in the hot East Texas summers for an uncovered pool and how much it would cost. 

Architects and engineers advised that overlapping pieces of canvas could provide shade. The superintendent said officials could look at bringing back to the board a proposal to address shade. 

Bergfeld also indicated concern over students swimming outdoors during the winter when temperatures in Tyler often are in the 40s. There is a thermal blanket of air above outdoor pools for colder weather in districts that have uncovered pools, the superintendent said.

Trustee Jean Washington said she favored opening the swimming program to all Tyler ISD schools that might be interested, including elementary schools. She suggested incorporating swimming lessons for children or at least survivor skills in the water and water safety.

The vision for the new pool is to provide more opportunities for more students, the athletics director said.

The high school swim team and some middle schools use the existing pool. 

Once designs for the new pool are finalized, the district will advertise for bids on the construction and return to the school board with a guaranteed maximum cost for construction, according to information provided to the board. 

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