South Kitsap pool modernization project reaching finish line

South Kitsap School District's extensive renovation of its community pool is approaching the finish line.

The project, which began in February 2022, is nearly complete as the 20,000-square-foot facility on the high school's campus opened for limited, school-related use earlier this month. South Kitsap's girls swim/dive team took the honorary first jump into the pool on Oct. 11 during a senior-night meet against Central Kitsap, while the boys water polo team hosted a match against Silas on Oct. 17. South Kitsap School District also hosted an open house for community members on Oct. 14.

Upon entry into the main swim area, users will now find a lighter, brighter space with a six-lane pool divided into two sections by a bulkhead. One pool section is considered the competition pool, used primarily for swimming/diving/water polo. It's 13 feet at its deepest point, allowing for the utilization of two diving boards which will be installed in early 2024. The other pool section, which is 3 feet, 6 inches at its shallowest point, will be used more for community use/lap swimming/classes.

Joe Riley, the district's facilities and operations director, said pool manager Joey Dame is targeting mid-November to begin community-use/recreational opportunities. The pool has typically been open Monday-Friday with open swim sessions in the morning before school begins.

There are still some checklist items to clear before the facility fully opens, such as hiring staff that will be in charge of management, operations and safety.

"We don't have the personnel yet," said Riley, who noted that one of the swim classes South Kitsap High School typically offers is lifeguard certification. "You can't train lifeguards without a pool. Now that we have the pool, we can have the class and get kids certified."

Renovation of the pool, originally built in the late 1970s, was the largest ticket item targeted in the $21.7 million capital levy that passed in 2018. The initial project budget of $5.2 million focused on replacing the pool's outdated and troublesome hydraulic floor and movable bulkhead, but other updates were added after the discovery of other failing systems. The project's final scope of work included roof replacement, a seismic cabling support system, new heating/ventilation systems, locker room/restroom renovations, ADA compliance upgrades, mechanical/filtration upgrades and LED lighting upgrades.

In mid-2021, the district estimated the pool project would cost $10.4 million, with capital levy financing being supplemented by state construction assistance and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding. In January of 2022, the district awarded the project contract to Christiansen Inc. District spokesperson Amy Miller said the final cost of the pool project will be known once renovation work is completed.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: South Kitsap pool project nearly complete for public to visit