VHHS pool HVAC delay forces phased work, eight‑week outage expected and board seeks contingency plan

District staff told the CHSD 128 Board that equipment delays for the Vernon Hills High School (VHHS) pool HVAC replacement will force the project to be phased and likely cause an eight‑week period when the pool cannot be used.

Administrators recommended phasing the work into two segments this fall to reduce program disruption; they said pre‑ordered units are delayed and long lead times for custom ductwork are a significant schedule risk. Staff described options for maintaining practices during the outage, including shifting sessions to Libertyville High School, nearby high schools, the Vernon Hills Park District, or other local pools. The district said it expects the Turtles program at VHHS to be shut down for the eight‑week outage.

Board members emphasized the need for a written contingency plan. Questions included whether athletic directors and coaches had been fully consulted, how meets would be handled if the boys’ season begins with the pool offline, and whether weather or winter conditions could extend work into the school year. Administrators said they would work with coaches and athletic directors to develop a schedule and contingencies and would present a fully developed plan no later than the August board meeting before the school year begins.

Operational details and constraints cited by staff included:
- A plan to open rooftop access and lower new equipment through the roof, assemble units on site and fabricate custom ductwork (lead time concern).
- Painting and vessel work scheduled for summer with temporary exhaust and vapor‑barrier measures to manage humidity while the main unit is unavailable.
- Existing filter and pump equipment were noted as roughly 10 years old; some components (filters) have longer lifespans but parts like the pool heater may need replacement in coming years.

Why it matters: The outage affects student athletes, community swim programs, and third‑party users that contract for pool time. The board explicitly linked this facilities work to its decision to table the RISE Aquatics agreement until the district can provide clearer schedules for outside users.

Next steps: District staff will finalize a practice schedule, build contingency options for more than eight weeks if needed, and return to the board with updated timelines and stakeholder communications in the coming weeks.