PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — More than three years before shovels hit the ground, the proposed 12th high school to be built in Prince William County is sparking debate because of the swimming pools that could be apart its design.
The building will be an adaptation of Patriot High School in Bristow, and this one would have a rear addition that would house two swimming pools.
Proponents of the pools, including Prince William County Schools Superintendent Steven Walts, insist the $10.5 million swim facility would not be a “Twelfth High School Pool,” but rather a “division aquatics facility” that would benefit all students and the community.
Associate Superintendent of Finance and Support Services David Cline led a lengthy presentation at last night’s School Board meeting, followed by an even lengthier question and answer session with elected Board members.
Current plans from Mosley Architects, the firm that would build the school, show the school and aquatics facility would have separate entrances, although the pool could also be accessed from inside the school building near the gymnasium. The planned pools would allow for various uses, which school officials hope could generate revenue for the school system.
The first pool would be a cooler temperature competition pool that would measure 116×75 feet in size, with a moveable bulkhead that could alter pool dimensions to meet various needs. The second would be a zero-depth entry pool sized at 47×75 feet with warmer water, lifts to accommodate those with special needs, a play area, possible waterslide, and floatable attractions to encourage the community to swim during open hours.
The facility plans also include a “wet” classroom for instruction, or other uses like birthday parties, mens/womens/family changing areas, and an upper level observation deck for about 500 spectators.
Cline also noted that both the Prince William County Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the Quantico Devil Dogs, who are in the process of building a private pool, support a pool in the school in order to provide relief at over-booked swim facilities in the area.
Cline also said that money used to build the $10.5 million pool would be acquired through a bond, and therefore would not be made available for items such as teacher raises, or anything else.
Cline further encouraged the pool’s viability by noting that the new high school’s outdoor sports areas would cost between four and five million dollars, and their gym would be around $11.5 million, with neither facility ever expected to offset the cost of operation the way the pool would.
As the presentation moved to questions, Woodbridge District School Board member Steven Keen asked about the annual operating cost of the pool, as well as the idea that one pool could help provide equal access to all students. Keen also noted that he felt a referendum was in order so that “we can ask taxpayers, not just the people who show up to talk about it,” referring to the numerous people who requested to speak during open forum before and after the meeting.
Gainesville District School Board member Alyson Satterwhite, despite Cline’s earlier note that the funds could only be used to build the pool, said “we could make an impact one student at a time with money we’ll pay for the pool” and that running a pool was getting away from the school board’s core mission.
Coles District member Dr. Michael Otaigbe had his own solution for funding the pool.
“There might be an angel investor out there,” said Otaigbe.
Brentsville District member Gil Trenum said he would be happy to propose a motion to name the 12th high school after the individual or company writing a check to finance the pool. Trenum also asked who would operate the pool, with Cline noting the potential for outsourcing to Prince William’s Parks and Recreation Department, as is currently done with field use, or for running the pool through the schools, as is done in Arlington.
