Rochester Middle School’s natatorium is getting its first major revamp after 50 years. Rochester Community Schools Superintendent Jana Vance said the pool should be closed in June and be ready by fall 2025. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Rochester Middle School’s natatorium is getting a revamp after 50 years.

Rochester Community Schools Superintendent Jana Vance said bids should go out in late spring for the project, which the corporation is financing via bonds.

It will be the first major project at the pool since it was installed in 1974, through Vance said, “some mechanical pieces and parts” have been replaced before and locker rooms were recently redone.

“The major concern right now with the pool is not the pool itself, but with the mechanical room that just needs a complete revamp,” explained Vance. “We are having aesthetic issues in regard to sound panels that are loose from the ceilings and the walls, and sometimes those drop.”

“It’s just time; chlorine, humidity take a toll on everything in that vicinity. It’s just a very corrosive environment,” she added.

The project will include “an all-new mechanical room,” said Vance.

“We are going to raise the ceiling in the natatorium much like we did with our middle school gym renovation,” she said.

Other parts of the project include new lighting, “more bleacher seating” and “modifying” the storage area for more room there, said Vance.

“The scores table where they keep all of the data and everything will be a raised platform, so that they can better see the pool in its entirety and have better sight on the swimmers,” she said. “We’ll have new diving boards and those types of things. They’re also going to drain the pool and do a deep cleaning of all the tile within the pool.”

Vance also said workers were to check for cracks and “patch (them) if needed.”

“We don’t anticipate that being a concern,” she added.

Viridian Architectural Design of Fort Wayne, which has handled RCS’ construction projects for more than 15 years, is the design firm for the project.

Vance said the pool should be closed down in June, with the project estimated to be complete by fall 2025.

She noted the project is important because “swimming is an integral part of Zebra athletics.”

“It’s just time for updates,” said Vance.