Published: Monday, January 16, 2012
Snohomish schools explore a new plan for pool
SNOHOMISH -- People here passed a bond measure almost four years ago to improve schools and build a new aquatic center to replace the old Hal Moe Memorial Pool.
But the center never got off the ground. The Snohomish School District shelved the idea after learning it would have to shell out an extra $450,000 a year to run the place.
This week, the school board approved work on a schematic design, which will explore new ways to make the aquatic center a reality. The project focuses mainly on redesigning the layout of the aquatic center and eliminating a basement.
The proposed 50,000-square-foot pool would still be at 601 Glen Ave, but at a different location on the property.
By revisiting the design and location of the center, the district should learn if it can cut the amount of money needed to run the aquatic center, Superintendent Bill Mester said.
Those operational costs were the main reason Mester suspended work on the pool project in April.
The design is scheduled to be completed by February, Mester said.
If operational costs remain high, the district plans to search for other locations, Mester said.
No other locations are being proposed, but Mester has said in the past the pool could be moved outside city limits.
The complex was a key piece of a $268 million bond approved by voters in 2008. Originally, construction was planned to start in summer 2011.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
But the center never got off the ground. The Snohomish School District shelved the idea after learning it would have to shell out an extra $450,000 a year to run the place.
This week, the school board approved work on a schematic design, which will explore new ways to make the aquatic center a reality. The project focuses mainly on redesigning the layout of the aquatic center and eliminating a basement.
The proposed 50,000-square-foot pool would still be at 601 Glen Ave, but at a different location on the property.
By revisiting the design and location of the center, the district should learn if it can cut the amount of money needed to run the aquatic center, Superintendent Bill Mester said.
Those operational costs were the main reason Mester suspended work on the pool project in April.
The design is scheduled to be completed by February, Mester said.
If operational costs remain high, the district plans to search for other locations, Mester said.
No other locations are being proposed, but Mester has said in the past the pool could be moved outside city limits.
The complex was a key piece of a $268 million bond approved by voters in 2008. Originally, construction was planned to start in summer 2011.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
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