The Flour Bluff ISD Natatorium is nearly complete. With just minor finishing touches left to finalize, the Natatorium, approved by voters in November 2013 as part of a bond package, will soon be hosting swim meets, holding regular swim practices and swim lessons. For now, Flour Bluff High School Head Swim Coach and Aquatics Supervisor, Bryan Hutchinson, is using this time to ensure the pool is fully functioning for the start of the new school year.
“Our Swim Team students and kids from the Summer Swim program have been testing the waters over the past few weeks,” said Coach Hutchinson. “Having a few students in the pool helps me to ensure the water levels are correct and pumps are operating as they should.”
The over 31,000 square foot facility includes a 25-yard or meter competition pool with a movable bulkhead that has five lap lanes, eight competitive swim lanes and two, 1-meter diving boards. The pool is also equipped with a lift chair that can be used by Special Olympic competitors. District athletes will also utilize the pool for rehabilitation and athletic training.
Additional amenities of the Natatorium include, outdoor overflow areas for teams and spectators during swim competitions, a classroom, Coach and Manager offices, boys and girls locker and dressing areas and a concession area.
Over the coming months, activity at the new Natatorium will begin to pick-up. The District will host a Tri-Swim Meet in September. In November, The Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA) will hold the Hornet TISCA Invitational for 6A high school swim teams from across the state. Plans are also in place for a Junior High Swim Meet in the spring for local junior high and middle school swim teams.
In addition to swim meets, Coach Hutchinson is working to put in place two-week swim lesson sessions for students from beginner level to level 3. Longer range plans include the addition of water aerobic classes and lap swimming for community members.
Until then, Natatorium staff are learning the ropes to ensure the safety of swimmers and the facility.
Coach Hutchinson boasts about the new facility, “For a single high school district, we are awfully lucky to have this state-of-the-art facility. It is by far the best in the state. Our swim team members are very thankful and excited to be able to train and compete in this beautiful facility.”