By Mark Ambrogi
The usually bustling Carmel High School natatorium will undergo a different sort of activity in June.
The Carmel Clay school board recently approved a bid of $608,127 by Myers Construction Management for repairs to the Carmel High School natatorium. The project includes repairing the roof structure and roof replacement at the skylights and construction of additional ventilation components to increase air circulation within the pool area.
The project is funded through 2015 general obligation bonds. Construction is expected to start June 1 and last approximately 35 days.
“Students, coaches, community members and fans will benefit from the renovations to the facility, which was built in 1998,” CHS Athletic Director Jim Inskeep said.
Roger McMichael, Carmel Clay Schools’ associate superintendent for business affairs, said the Carmel Swim Club was consulted on the best time to make the repairs.
“We’re replacing a portion of the roof over the pool and also doing some structural work related to the roof,” McMichael said. “That’s the largest part of the project.”
“We’re also doing some work to improve the ventilation system. The pool met all the code requirements when it was built in the 1990s. As you can imagine, there is always an issue around chlorine coming off the pool deck. So we’re putting in some different type of ventilation to improve the air circulation,” he added.
McMichael said there was nothing broken with the ventilation system, it just needs an upgrade. He said over the years there have been methods that may better address the ventilation in the pool area.
McMichael said the roof repair is needed from normal wear and tear.
“There is metalwork on the outside of the building that needed to be repaired along with the roof itself,” he said.
Carmel Swim Club Coach Chris Plumb said he hopes to be back in the natatorium sometime in the first week in July.
“We are negotiating with other pools to find water time (in June),” he said.
