BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern High School District recently opened its aquatic complex, a facility built to host up to 8 teams in water and fit about 700 spectators on the stands. On Wednesday, crews were draining out the water of the pool to begin the repairs.
According to the school district, the company that installed the pool will complete the repairs for free. Those repairs are to fix unrounded edges on the walls of the pool.
In 2016, Kern County voted to pass Measure K, which allocated funds for construction for the school district. The Board of Trustees directed the district to set aside $20 million dollars to build up to two pools. The district said they did not go over the budget with building the first pool.
"I'm just amazed that there has to be repairs at the center. I'm sorry that it happened because it affects greatly the teams that are there plus all of the teams that have to compete this weekend and the practices," Jan Graves, a swim coach and trustee with the board said.
Graves said she is sure the board will have to raise more money for the other pool.
"This is a top-notch swimming complex and it cost a little bit more money than expected and so we wanted to build a good one, so we did and the next one will be just as nice. I'm sure we'll have to raise funds or to get a pool of equal quality," Graves said.
The second pool has not been built yet, but the district said they are evaluating how much another pool would cost and are exploring multiple options such as design.
"I feel it should be up right now because it kind of messes up the other schools that practice there. Because we have to move them to other places because I believe they'll have to practice at McMurtrey," Christian Chau, a swim coach for Mira Monte High School said. "But that's already packed with three other schools at the time right now so it's kind of just upsetting for the swimmers."
In a statement, the district said the KHSD Aquatic Center should reopen on Monday, March 16th. The center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the center last month, on February 6, 2020.
According to the school district website, the next event to be held at the aquatic center is on March 18th for a diving meet. Following, on March 19th a swim meet between Independence High School and Bakersfield Christian High School.
The Kern High School District is located on 7301 Old River Rd, Bakersfield.
