Tomball ISD Chief Financial Officer Jim Ross presented schematic designs to the board of trustees March 4 for construction projects funded by the district's $275 million bond referendum, which was approved by voters in November 2017. Designs were presented for renovations to Tomball Memorial High School as well as new facilities, including an agriculture science project facility at Tomball High School, an aquatic center at Tomball Memorial and the Tomball District Stadium.
The board of trustees will consider approving the schematic designs during a March 5 meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at 310 S. Cherry St., Tomball.
The schematic designs presented are the initial drawings of the facilities. Designs will move onto developmental design once approved, when fixtures, details and materials will be finalized, Ross said.
Tomball Memorial High School renovations
The renovations—slated for $48.2 million in the initial bond referendum breakdown—include an expansion of the school's locker rooms, an additional gymnasium, a new culinary arts space, additional classroom space and other improvements.
The targeted capacity of the high school is 3,000 students, Ross said.
"The spirit of what we're trying to do, though, is get every student on this campus inside the building where instruction occurs," board Vice President Michael Pratt said during the March 4 TISD workshop, referring to the number of portable buildings currently used throughout the campus.
IBI Group prepared schematic designs for proposed renovations to Tomball Memorial, Ross said. IBI designed Bridgeland High School in Cy-Fair ISD, he said.
Tomball High School agriculture science project facility
The new facility—slated for $7.1 million in the initial bond referendum breakdown—will be similar to the existing facility at Tomball Memorial prior to its expansion, Ross said. However, the new facility will also feature two classrooms measuring about 900 square feet each, he said.
Board Secretary Matt Schiel recommended an isolation area also be added to the design plans to place sick animals so illness does not spread.
VLK Architects prepared schematic designs for the proposed agriculture science project facility at Tomball High.
Tomball Memorial High School aquatic center: Option 1
Ross presented two options for the aquatic center to the board of trustees, based on cost factors and district input.
The first option proposes a 50-meter pool in an enclosed metal building with limited deck space around the pool. The facility would also include lockers and training amenities as well as an office space. However, this option would not be able to accommodate bleachers due to limited deck space. There would also be no windows in the facility, Ross said.
Architecture firm Stantec prepared schematic designs for the proposed aquatic center at Tomball Memorial.
In the initial bond referendum breakdown, $15 million is allotted for the aquatic center.
Tomball Memorial High School aquatic center: Option 2
Editor's note: The board of trustees approved Option 2 during a regular meeting March 5.
Ross presented two options for the aquatic center to the board of trustees, based on cost factors and district input.
The second option proposes a 25-meter stretch pool, which could accommodate swimming and diving events simultaneously, Ross said. Although the pool would be smaller in the second option proposed, the pool would still be larger than the existing aquatic center near Tomball High, he said.
Option 2 would also feature a masonry building, space for roll-out bleachers, higher-quality locker rooms, windows and a chlorine filtration system, according to the presentation.
In both scenarios, the new aquatic center would serve as a practice facility, Ross said.
Campus Principal Chad Smith said he is in favor of the 25-meter stretch pool.
Tomball district stadium
The proposed district stadium includes seating for 12,000, Ross said. The visitor side would feature 4,00 seats, while the home side would include 6,000 seats. Additional seating would be scattered throughout.
Various seating options would also be available—preferred seating with arm rests, aluminum seats with back rests, aluminum bleacher-style seating and grassy areas available for seating, Ross said.
In the initial bond referendum breakdown, $51.2 million is allotted for the stadium.
Designs also propose covered concession areas, office and storage space, bus parking, a press box, team parking areas with separate entrances into the field house, and a community room.
Ross said the community room could serve as a space for community events and district professional development sessions. The room could be divided into three separate spaces. A full-size serving kitchen would also be available.
The community room would hold up to 450 guests seated with tables or up to 554 guests seated without tables, Ross said.
The community space would be the largest gathering space available in the community, Ross said.
PBK Architects prepared schematic designs for the proposed Tomball district stadium.
