Tri‑Creek board hears natatorium progress update; pool bid opening set

Tri‑Creek School Corporation staff told the board that excavation for the district's new natatorium began that day and that interior work is advancing, though several testing and finish steps remain before the pool is tiled and filled.

Unidentified Speaker 2, presenting construction photos, said decking and painted surfaces are in place, interior CMU walls are largely complete, and the acoustical ceiling clouds have been installed and in some cases wrapped to protect them during excavation. "The excavation of the actual pool" began that day, he said, and crews are continuing mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough‑ins and roofing over the future fitness center.

Board members asked about dust control and long‑term access for ceiling maintenance. The presenter said the district is using protective wrappings and portable air‑filtration units to minimize dust and that future access would likely require lifts because the design does not include a catwalk. He cautioned that concrete testing and waterproofing can extend the timeline: "From the time you pour the concrete to the time you're actually starting tile could be 8 to 10 weeks," he said, describing the sequence of fill, test, drain, apply waterproofing and retest.

The presenter said the project remains on track for availability by the time school starts, though testing can create unpredictable delays. He also told the board that bids for the pool infill (the old pool) will be opened next week and that a large number of contractors attended the recent site walk. "I think we'll have a lot of bidders," he said.

The board did not take formal procurement action on the natatorium at the meeting; staff said bid openings and further contract recommendations will be presented to the board as the procurement process continues.