Tecumseh board votes to demolish community pool, forms exploratory committee to study replacement

By a roll-call vote, the Tecumseh Board of Education approved a plan to proceed with demolition of the Tecumseh Community Memorial Pool while staff begin design, permitting and procurement steps to determine replacement options.

Superintendent Mr. Hilton and facilities presenter Josh Madison told trustees that engineering assessments by Magnus Engineering documented extensive laminar corrosion in the roof structure and primary steel members supporting the pool building, increasing the risk of partial or progressive collapse over time. Madison said the district presented three options: (1) selective demolition and rebuild, estimated at about $15,000,000; (2) demolition only, with current high-level estimates around $2,300,000 and a 12–18 month timeline for the initial phases; and (3) a new competition facility, estimated at about $28,000,000. "These are high-level estimates," Madison said, calling them based on industry-standard pricing and comparisons with similar projects.

Trustees repeatedly cited safety and insurance exposure in the decision. The board was told the district's insurer (SunSank) continues coverage "as long as we're actively looking for solutions," and that further delay could force restrictions such as a 20–30 foot safety fence and closed courtyards to protect students and staff.

Trustee Lynn Davis, who supported the demolition motion, said the priority is student safety and urged timely action. Trustee McGee cast the lone recorded no vote against the demolition motion, citing concerns about using sinking-fund dollars for demolition rather than the pool repairs originally described to the public.

The motion approved by the board authorized staff to proceed with the steps necessary under “option 2” — design and documentation, agency plan review with the state Bureau of Construction Codes and the Bureau of Fire Services, and issuance of RFPs for demolition and any reconstruction steps — with the board retaining final approval of contract awards. Madison said design and documentation would likely take four to six months, agency review another two to three months, and procurement one to two months, with demolition possibly beginning in the fall if approvals and contractor availability align.

The board directed the superintendent to form a superintendent-led exploratory committee including staff, athletes, parents and community representatives to conduct a needs assessment, develop transparent financial projections and determine whether there is community support to pursue a new facility and, if so, what scope that would take. Mr. Hilton said the committee would lead community engagement and return findings to the board for a potential voter question if the community supports building a new pool.

Trustees stressed that any RFP or construction contract would come back to the board for approval and suggested using not-to-exceed limits or staged approvals if bids come in higher than current estimates. Several trustees also urged a quick survey or committee outreach to explain the safety findings and how sinking funds would be used if the board proceeds.

The board approved the demolition motion (option 2) by roll call: Davis — yes; McGee — no; Brooks — yes; Martinez — yes; Simpson — yes; Lewis — yes; Miller — yes (final tally: 6–1). The board also approved a separate action accepting a $573.19 donation from McDonald's to the high school athletic department.

Next steps: staff will return plans and actual RFP pricing to the board for contract approval; the exploratory committee will begin community engagement and develop financial scenarios. The board and staff emphasized the timeline and safety risk if further delays occur.