SNOHOMISH — The Snohomish School District is putting the brakes on a new aquatic center that was a key piece of a $268 million bond approved by voters two years ago.
Superintendent Bill Mester said in an email that a decision was made to suspend work on the project after a new analysis found
that the pool would cost more to operate than it would bring in.
“It is the board’s belief that we simply must live within our means,” Mester said in the email sent to 2,300 people who signed up to receive updates on the project.
Mester did not return multiple phone calls Monday. District spokeswoman Kristin Foley said Mester was in meetings all day and unavailable to talk.
Construction was expected to begin this summer on the aquatic center, which is supposed to replace the Hal Moe Pool that was closed about four years ago over structural and safety issues. The 46,000-square-foot building had been scheduled to open next year.
Foley said an analysis by the California-based Sports Management Group said the center would cost at least $1.37 million per year to operate.
The center, however, would only bring in annual revenue of $926,500, meaning a shortfall of about $450,000 each year, which could run higher as operating costs increase.
Mester met with all of the school board members individually before reaching the decision, Foley said. The issue is scheduled to be on the agenda for the school board’s April 27 meeting.
In his email, Mester wrote that the board directed that the design work be halted immediately. The school district would look for ways to lower the costs of running the new aquatic center, he continued, and district officials would look for ways to generate more money.
“Finally, we are investigating ways of raising additional revenue for facility operations,” Mester wrote.
The decision to put the project on hold was influenced by a pending loss of state funding, Mester said. As a way to prepare for this, the district is proposing cutting $4.3 million in expenses. These cuts include eliminating up to 37 teaching positions.
The board is scheduled to make a decision about the proposed cuts also at the April 27 meeting.
He emphasized in his note that the project was not terminated and the taxpayer money generated to build the $22 million complex will be “protected to complete this project when we find a resolution.”
Foley said school administrators and a committee set up for the aquatic center will meet to explore options.
“The group will be looking at everything,” she said.
The district already has spent $1.8 million on architects, surveys and soil studies for the aquatic complex planned for 601 Glen Ave. The design has three pools, including a competitive pool planned to be 10 lanes wide and about 25 yards long. The design also includes bleachers for 420 spectators, locker rooms, family changing rooms and a water slide.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
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