Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Pools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves $169,550 regenerative filter and related measures to recommission Central High pool
Summary
The board approved Horizon Pool Supply's regenerative media filter proposal to recommission the Grand Forks Central High School pool as a stopgap solution, authorized submission of required state paperwork and approved related small building‑fund repairs.
The Grand Forks Public Schools Board on Feb. 10 approved a plan to recommission the Central High School pool and voted to hire Horizon Pool Supply to install a regenerative media filter at a cost of $169,550.
Administrators said the work is intended as a temporary measure to restore pool operations for students and community groups until a long‑term municipal or regional facility becomes available. Jonathan Elwin, who presented project options to the board, summarized proposals from multiple firms and recommended the regenerative media filter as the best balance of cost, repurposability and short‑term reliability. The board’s administrative recommendation cited community partners — including the UND swim club, local masters groups and community swim teams — and noted those partners will share operational costs and scheduling.
The board also approved an SFN form (SFN 52304) to notify the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction because the project exceeds DPI’s $150,000 threshold, and it authorized $10,525 in building‑fund dollars to replace expansion joints at the pool structure.
Why it matters: UND’s Hislop facility is expected to be offline in March, and local swim clubs and youth programs would face a gap in access to water if the Central pool were not brought back online. Administrators said the recommissioning is a short‑term, community‑supported approach intended to provide lessons, practice space and limited meets until the new Altru Sports Complex and other long‑term facilities come online.
Costs and operations: The board heard an administration estimate of about $55,000 per year for ongoing operation (filters, energy, water, testing, labor, chemicals and routine maintenance). The district will retain responsibility for maintenance; community partners have agreed in principle to share operating costs in proportion to usage. A pool cover will be purchased separately (estimated about $23,000) and is not eligible for building‑fund dollars under the scope used for the recommissioning contract. The board passed the Horizon Pool Supply motion by unanimous vote.
Board discussion and partners: Board members and administrators described negotiations with community partners, UND representatives and other user groups. Brian Strom (former Hislop director, participating as a community consultant) and representatives of local swim organizations were cited in the record as contributors to planning. Administration emphasized the work is intended as a temporary, cost‑sensitive fix rather than a long‑term renovation of the pool building.
