FARMINGTON—Pool space for high school swimmers in the Davis School District is hard to come by. Currently, the nine schools are competing for pool time at three of the district’s community partners, South Davis Recreation, Layton and Clearfield. 

The school board is looking at possible options to build a new pool. Craig Carter, Business Administrator and Dr. Timothy Best, Healthy Lifestyles Section Director gave a potential pool discussion update presentation at the last board meeting.

“Other sports teams can practice in different places but swimmers need water,” said Best. “We’re trying to find space at three locations but when you need to put them in the pool three times a day it’s quite challenging for student athletes.”

Customers have first priority, he said. “Right now the municipalities tell them when they can use the pool.”

“Interest in swimming has grown dramatically,” said Carter. “Some schools have put a cap on the team because they can’t find enough lane space.”

Carter and Best gave an overview of what a new pool should look like:

• At least a 50M X 25yd competition pool.

• Adjustable bulkheads for flexible configurations

• Sensor Blocks – provides accurate timing in individual events, relays, DQ’s, etc.

• Video Scoreboard with timing, scores, next races, etc.

• Multi use pool – competition swimming, lap swimming, water polo, lessons etc.

• Adjustable floor for depths from 3m to 1 inch.

• Designed to eliminate water turbulence – depth, gutters, wide lanes, lane dividers

Other proposed features include:

• Wheelchair lift/raised floor for Unified Sports teams

• ADA accessible restrooms/locker rooms/team rooms

• Seating for 800-1,200 spectators

• Built to USA Swimming Standards to allow regional, state, intermountain meets

• Adequate deck space to accommodate multiple teams

• Provides a high-altitude competition/training facility

“We have well over 300 kids that compete,” said Best. “We’d have probably 20 lanes instead of three. We could put half of the high schools in at one time. It would benefit our schools, community and student athletes if we had more water.”

Carter said funding would come through the Davis Education Foundation fundraising efforts, community donations and possibly a small LBA (local building authority) bond. 

“We have some capital reserves set aside that was earmarked for community pool expansion,” he said. “We’ll start looking for an architect with pool experience and visit other pools. We’ll also collaborate with local entities on how to design that. We’re in negotiations for land with the potential of starting next spring.”