Northwest ISD’s board of trustees approved at its June 10 meeting a bid of about $36.55 million to build the district’s first aquatic center. Construction on the center is expected to begin toward the end of the summer and take about two years to complete. The center will be located at the intersection of Texan Drive and Ag Barn Drive Loop, across from NISD’s administration center in Fort Worth. NISD’s board approved plans for the aquatic center with an additional practice pool and athletic facility. In April, the board approved a bid process for the center, but at the time asked district officials to bring back estimates for building the center with and without the additional pool and athletic facility. While designing the center, district officials added a practice pool that Tim McClure, the district’s assistant superintendent for facilities, said will help the district accommodate swim teams for a fifth high school, postponing the need for a second aquatic center. The pool will add nearly $2.12 million to the project’s cost. An additional athletic training area with turf and weight rooms will add an estimated $1.66 million. However, the district could negotiate the lease of space with police and firefighters, college recruits and off-season athletes, professional athletes and trainers, and other groups. Leasing the space could help the district recuperate the cost of the training area within 15 to 18 years, according to district officials. Costs for constructing the center will also include $182,687 to extend a driveway at the facility toward Gene Pike Middle School. The aquatic center’s original budget as laid out in a 2017 bond was $27.5 million. In addition to those bond funds, the district will use just over $5.62 million in undesignated savings from previous bonds toward the remaining costs. And about $3.43 million of the project’s price tag will be offset by Texas Health Resources. THR is partnering with the district to operate medical areas at the center. Students and community members will be able to make appointments and receive treatment and rehabilitation at the facility. NISD is also working with THR to provide health science students with the ability to perform clinical rotations. Plans for the two-story aquatic center include a competition pool, locker rooms, offices, and classroom and conference space on the first floor. The practice pool and athletic facility would also be located on the first floor. The second floor will house grandstands, a concession area and restrooms.