Keller ISD to advance natatorium repairs, engineering work as filter purchase and short-term fixes move forward

Superintendent Dr. Wilson told trustees the district has purchased a vertical filter for the natatorium and is contracting engineering firm RWB to redesign the HVAC system (including the Dectron unit and dehumidifiers) to address leaks and air-quality issues. He said staff will bring purchase approvals and repair scopes to the board for prompt action to avoid further damage while the pool is down.

"We have purchased the filter... they're on order," Dr. Wilson said, and added the engineering specifications will be posted for bid after the study is complete. Felix Murrah, representing CBAC, reiterated the natatorium has site and restroom repairs that the committee felt should be included in the bond package.

During consent/action discussion trustees approved purchases exceeding $25,000 including engineering and RFQ work for the natatorium. Facilities staff explained that some short-term expenditures would come from the natatorium budget and could be repaid from bond proceeds if the bond passes; administrators said they will prepare a resolution to allow repayment within an 18-month window. "Once the bond passes for natatorium aspects, we do get to recoup that money," said facilities staff (speaker 3/26).

Why it matters: The natatorium serves athletics and community events and was cited repeatedly as an example of deferred maintenance. Trustees and staff framed the engineering work and filter purchase as necessary to prevent further deterioration and to inform a longer-term construction solution.

Next steps: Staff will post engineering specs, solicit bids, present purchase approvals and return with a repayment resolution to enable the district to recover eligible short-term expenses if bonds are approved by voters.