Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sachem officials say North Pool piping has failed; full natatorium rebuild estimated at about $4 million
Summary
An outside vendor's pressure tests found cast-iron piping under the North Pool at end of life, forcing a likely full natatorium rebuild to meet modern codes (including VGB compliance) with an estimated cost of about $4 million and an 8'9-month construction timeline; state aid of roughly 76% was discussed and voter approval will likely be required.
An engineering inspection and pressure-testing report presented to the Sachem Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 4 concluded that underground cast-iron piping beneath the North Pool has reached the end of its useful life and cannot be repaired with piecemeal patches, requiring a full rebuild of the natatorium and its systems.
"The piping that's under underground, under the slab, in and around the pool is all cast iron, and the life expectancy of cast iron is, like, 50, 55 years," the district's facilities consultant reported. Pressure testing of return and suction lines repeatedly failed, and photographs included in the report show corroded underground runs.
What replacement would entail: the consultant said bringing the pool up to current codes would require cutting and replacing gutters, reconfiguring drains to meet the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act requirements (main-drain separation), and deepening the deep end (to 12 feet) if a diving board is to be retained. The consultant estimated an all-in construction cost of about $4,000,000 and an 8-to-9-month construction period; he said modern materials such as schedule-80 PVC would replace cast iron.
Funding and process implications: the consultant said state aid programs could cover a substantial portion of the project (approximately 76% of eligible costs was discussed); administration noted such a project would require voter approval and likely bonding because the district does not have unrestricted capital on hand. Board members said the pool is used by teams and community groups and that project timing would need to balance facility continuity and other capital priorities.
Next steps: the board asked the administration to place the pool repair/work on the agenda for the next meeting for a deeper discussion of financing options, timeline, and possible referendum planning. No board vote was taken at the meeting.
