Olentangy board approves TIF for Peachblow Aquatic Center to secure pool access for schools

The Olentangy Local School District Board of Education voted March 13 to approve a tax‑increment financing (TIF) compensation agreement and deed covenant tied to a proposed Peachblow Aquatic Center, a privately developed swim facility intended to host lessons, club swimming and scheduled time for the district’s high school teams.

The resolution, approved by roll call after an executive‑session negotiation under Ohio law, passed on a unanimous recorded vote of the five board members present (Mister O’Brien; Miss Schreiber; Mister Lester; Doctor Dabrico; Doctor Wallach). The board moved into executive session earlier in the meeting under Ohio Revised Code protections for negotiations with political subdivisions; after returning to open session trustees voted to adopt the TIF agreement.

Lori Carr, owner of Buckeye Swim, described the planned Peachblow (Peach Blow) Aquatic Center as a two‑pool facility: a separate teaching pool (30 by 60 feet) and a competitive training pool set up as 25 yards by 25 meters with roughly 10 lanes plus a smaller “extra” lane for lessons or training. Carr said the design includes individual changing rooms and family restrooms rather than traditional locker rooms, and a team room and deck seating sized to host small high‑school meets. “The cost is our cost…It’s 1.25 because that covers our payroll cost for those lifeguards,” Carr said, describing how the facility will bill the district for lifeguard coverage during school times and events.

Under the agreement presented to the board, Olentangy schools would receive morning lane time before school three days per week, use of the entire facility up to 5 p.m. after school on assigned days, Saturdays after 1 p.m. for training or meets, and Fridays by mutual agreement during the swim season. Carr said Buckeye Swim and Buckeye Swim School would operate the center and that the developer has a soft agreement to host all four Olentangy high‑school swim teams.

Board members framed the deal as a public‑private partnership that adds pool capacity in a rapidly developing area. “I just think it’s a great example of a private public partnership that works,” Mister Lester said during discussion. Trustees also noted the development sits in an area that has grown since the parcel was purchased and that hosting the teams locally will reduce the district’s recurring lane‑rental costs at outside pools.

The board’s approval follows a public discussion and the district’s announcement that it will discuss the agreement in executive session under the Ohio Revised Code section cited for economic‑development negotiations (Revised Code 121.22(G)(8) and for TIF matters under Revised Code 5709.73(B)). The board said it would return to the matter if additional formal approvals are required after negotiations conclude.

The TIF resolution does not create district ownership of the pool; it compensates the taxing entities for the TIF and establishes the deed covenant and schedule of school access described at the meeting. The district’s legal counsel and administration said they will finalize the detailed contract language and administrative logistics after the board’s vote.

A final implementation schedule, including start dates for district use, was not specified at the meeting. Board members said they intend to monitor facility scheduling and any changes in usage costs as the project moves forward.

Ending: The board’s action authorizes the district to finalize the compensation and deed covenant with the Peachblow Aquatic Center developers; the district will return to the board with any additional documents or requests for further approvals as the project is finalized.