Superintendent asks county to study indoor pool for Simpson County schools and residents

Tim Schlosser, superintendent of the Simpson County School District, presented a proposal July 15 asking the Fiscal Court to consider supporting study of a new indoor swimming pool that would serve both students and county residents.

Schlosser said the absence of a nearby practice facility requires the swim team to travel to Bowling Green multiple times per week, which depresses participation. An on-site pool, he said, could enable a swim-team program, a physical-education course to teach students to swim, and summer recreational access for residents. He asked interested companies and community stakeholders to contact the school; the district would form a committee with representatives from each stakeholder to research costs and other factors.

Schlosser described two types of enclosures the district has studied: a retractable dome system (DYNA Dome) that would allow an indoor pool to function like an open-air facility, and an Open Air-style greenhouse with removable panels. He noted that greenhouse or “bubble” systems typically require dehumidification and air-conditioning systems that can be expensive, while a DYNA Dome option might avoid some of those costs with increased airflow and heating. He did not provide a construction estimate at the meeting and asked the county and community partners to help fund a cost analysis.

The Fiscal Court expressed willingness to explore the possibility and to help fund a cost analysis to move the idea forward. No formal commitment of construction funds was made at the meeting; Schlosser said the next step would be stakeholder identification and committee formation to begin detailed study.