The Falls High School swimming pool is now a work in progress.
Up North Builders has begun the process to deepen the FHS swimming pool so that future meets with starting blocks will be able to be held there.
The FHS swimming pool was only 3 1/2 feet deep before the renovation work began with the bottom being dug out.
The pool project is taking place because of a new rule implemented in 2011-12 by the National Federation of State High School Associations, which now requires a minimum depth of 4 feet to use starting blocks.
“The federation says a minimum of 4 feet deep, but we want to do 5 feet deep to be safe in the future,” said Falls Superintendent Jeff Peura.
Falls’ girls team hosted just two varsity meets and the boys team hosted only one this past season when all the teams involved had to agree to start all the events in the water to hold a meet in the FHS swimming pool.
To deepen the end of the pool by the starting blocks to 5 feet, workers have been digging there and hauling out dirt.
The crew has been involved with sloping the pool bottom. The next steps include laying down the metal reinforcement and pouring concrete for the floor of the pool.
Peura said the renovation work is estimated to cost about $190,000, which he calls a “top-end projection.”
“If it comes in less, we’ll be really happy,” Peura said. “But if we find other work we have to do while we’re in there, we want to do it right the first time.”
The work began following the end of the boys swimming and diving season this winter and has been planned for completion prior to the start of the girls season next fall.
“We’re making progress,” Peura said.
