Apr 21, 2017 By Harry Funk 3 min read

If Peters Township School District pursues building a new high school, it could be without a swimming pool.

“Part of the discussion that occurs every year as funding becomes tighter is an ongoing review of district expenditures that are academically required, and those that are not,” Thomas McMurray, school board president, said during the school board’s April 18 meeting. “A natatorium does not fall under the academically required.”

McMurray spoke from a prepared statement prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, which drew a large contingent of swim supporters. They were alarmed by remarks made by the Rev. Jamison Hardy, board finance chairman, during a prior buildings and grounds committee meeting to the effect that a decision about a pool already has been made.

“There has not been any official action taken on a natatorium or, for that matter, the decision as to whether the current high school will be renovated or a new one built at the former Rolling Hills property,” McMurray assured the audience.

Hardy apologized for what he called remarks made “in jest.”

“Whatever decision is made,” he said with regard to a pool, “it will be made with the best intention for the betterment of the entire community, and with no faction left out or utilized as the most prioritized situation.”

Patti Daum, president of Peters Township Swim Club, was among those who addressed the board, commenting in part on the swimming facility at the current high school.

“Some have opined that we don’t need a pool because the old pool will suffice. It can be retrofitted,” she said. “To those of you I say, experience has taught me that the current pool is not sustainable as it is, and I can’t imagine that any retrofitting would do it much good.”

She spoke about the value of a school swimming program.

“At a time when we’re only beginning to understand the long-term effects of concussive injuries on young adults, swimming offers a sport with a very low risk of concussive injury,” Daum said. “At a time when obesity and all of its impact on every major body system is epidemic in this country, swimming offers not only an aerobic activity but resistance training, without the high impact on joints and the musculoskeletal system.”

The school district and township, which basically split the 190-acre Rolling Hills site between the two entities, have the possibility of working together on an aquatics facility for the benefit of students and the community at large.

“The potential for future additions for a new high school as funding becomes available and the needs of the district change is also an option,” McMurray said. “Our architects have been instructed to plan for this future expansion.”

He urged audience members with further interest to attend the next buildings and grounds committee meeting, scheduled for April 24.