By TIM ASHLEY
Staff Writer
tashley@the-papers.com 

Wawasee Middle School’s swimming pool, heavily used by the school, Wawasee High School and the community, is getting much needed renovations in an approximately $1.3 million project.

Funding for the project is through the school corporation’s capital projects fund used each year for various projects as prioritized.

An extensive overhaul is in progress for the pool at a school more than 20 years old. Bob Lahrman, support services director for the Wawasee Community School Corp., said the renovations include new lighting, ceiling work, painting and a completely new scoreboard repositioned for easier viewing by spectators at swimming meets, as well as new lighted swimming record boards.

Additionally, when the suspended ceiling was removed, rusty metal joists and roof decking were exposed. A structural engineer examined the rusted areas and recommended remedial measures.

Lahrman believes the damage could have occurred 15 to 18 years ago but the problem was not reported when the roof for the entire school building was renovated the last few years. There is clear evidence of someone stepping through metal weakened by rust.

Excessive condensation created by high humidity likely was a major factor in causing the roof problem, he said. The Wawasee school board inspected the damage during a special meeting Tuesday and voted on a recommendation to repair the damage.

Although most of the project involves the pool, other work in the school will include replacing carpeting, painting and tile work. Mid-June is the target date for completion of the project. Nearly all of the pipe work has been finished in the pool area, but electrical and other work remains.

While work is being done on the pool, swimming activities have been moved to the high school pool.

For more details on this story and the Wawasee School Board, see this week’s edition of The Mail-Journal.