About the project
Located at 17125 Ella Blvd., Houston, the former YMCA will be undergoing both interior and exterior renovations that aim to improve the functionality, aesthetics and energy efficiency of the facility, said Mark Miranda, chief of district operations for SISD.
"We also want to look at pool and pool house upgrades because we heard loud and clear from both our board and the community that being able to use that beautiful pool was a priority," Miranda said during the Nov. 12 meeting.
Still in the planning phase, Miranda said the district has already contracted with Smith & Company Architects to design the project. Design recommendations for the project include:
- Exterior renovations, including refacing the building facade and adding a new marquee
- Pool renovations, including replacing the existing pool restrooms, replastering the pool and building a new pump house
- Parking lot upgrades, including replacing portions of the parking lot, restriping and repairing/adding lighting
- Interior renovations, including replacing flooring, painting throughout, and upgrading restrooms and workspaces
- Safety upgrades, including installing additional security cameras, security vestibules, secure perimeter fencing, impact resistant film and an entrance camera intercom
The cost
Miranda said the facility renovations are estimated to cost just over $1.56 million, while the pool and pool house upgrades will cost approximately $996,421. The project will be primarily funded through bond interest income; however, Miranda noted some of the smaller projects—such as the new marquee and some of the safety upgrades—will be funded through existing bond projects.
Upon the facility's completion, Miranda estimated the total maintenance cost to be about $122,500 per year.
"We will be able to recoup some of that money by offsetting some of those costs with pool rentals so ... as this [project] gets built out, we'll be able to come back and readdress what those rental costs would look like," Miranda said.
District officials noted the project would be added to SISD's bond website to allow community members to track its progress.
Quote of note
"Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was an integral part of our Spring ISD family. She truly took care of us here, and so this is just one way for us to recognize her work," Superintendent Lupita Hinojosa said during the Nov. 12 meeting.
In case you missed it
Trustees voted Aug. 13 to rename SISD's Family and Community Engagement Center to honor U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, 74, who died July 19 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
