The indoor swimming centers at Berkner High School and STEM Academy and J.J. Pearce High School are set to be renovated after Richardson ISD’s school board unanimously approved $9.4 million for the second phase of the project on Jan. 15.

What’s happening

The two natatoriums contain indoor pools serving Richardson’s student swim and dive teams. The board approved $1.8 million for the first phase of the $11.15 million project on Dec. 11, accessing funds from the 2016 bond.

The first phase primarily included the purchase of equipment that needed to be constructed ahead of the renovations, such as boilers and pool conditioning equipment.

The second phase, the $9.4 million that the board approved on Jan. 15, will include:

• Replacing pool mechanical systems
• Replacing heating and cooling equipment
• Refurbishing deck equipment
• Replacing diving equipment
• Replacing non-slip floors
• Updating finishes such as paint, ceilings, wall panels and graphics
• Replacing teaching equipment and timing systems

Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the district plans to have the pools up and running for next school year. Construction will be done in phases to ensure that at least one natatorium remains fully operational at all times, but Branum said the swim and dive teams should still expect some disruption in practice schedules during the renovations.

Some context

Branum said both natatoriums, located in standalone buildings behind the schools, were constructed in the late 1960s.

“For a number of years we have received feedback from our campuses, specifically our swim and diving programs, related to the aging equipment and infrastructure that is at our two natatoriums,” Branum said. “We want to ensure that we have an environment where our swimmers and our divers and our coaches have a pool that is working, that is something that they can count on.”