An assigned fund balance was approved this week by the Falls School Board to accept contributions to help pay for deepening the Falls High School swimming pool.
The district presently is unable to use starting blocks at home swimming meets because the pool is only 3 1/2 feet deep. A rule revision in 2011-12 implemented by the National Federation of State High School Associations requires at least 4 feet.
Falls’ first two scheduled home meets earlier this month for the girls swimming and diving team ended up being held at Hibbing and Grand Rapids as a result of the new rule. To be able to hold a meet in the FHS swimming pool, the teams involved must agree to start all the events in the water instead of on starting blocks.
Falls Superintendent Jeff Peura said an architect will be preparing a report related to deepening the first 30 feet from where the starting blocks have been located to 5 feet, which would make it possible for future meets to be held in the FHS swimming pool with the competitors diving off starting blocks.
Peura said the work to deepen the pool would take place following the conclusion of both the boys and girls swimming seasons in 2011-12.
Based on what some other school districts in Minnesota are experiencing, Peura has noted the work could cost in the neighborhood of $100,000.
He said he expects both donations and district funds would end up being used to pay for deepening the pool.
