Source: Myrtha Pools
September 2, 2014 -- As scheduled, the new state-of-the-art aquatics complex featuring two Myrtha Pools built at Reedley High School, California Central Valley, was inaugurated before the start of the 2014-15 school year in August. The Kings Canyon Unified School District built the $7 million complex which is expected to serve both Reedley High School and the community, as well as host important regional competitions. Myrtha Pools along with Darden Architects and ArchPac, designed and manufactured the 50m Olympic-size competition pool (50mx25ydx2m) and a warm-up pool (22mx11.5ydx1-1.50m), both built with Myrtha Technology.
Along with Kristy Kowal, Olympic silver medalist, about 500 people were in attendance for the unveiling and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new state of the art aquatics complex. Reedley has been without a community pool since the city and Reedley College closed their pools. When the college shut down its pool in 2012, Reedley High's water polo and swim teams had to travel far for early morning practices. Now the pools are now ready to host both swimming and water polo practices and competitions.
During the ceremony Kristy Kowal addressed the crowd, "People from all over the country, once they see this pool, will want to swim here. Be proud of that. You have set the bar way up for communities around the country to do what you have done."
KCUSD Board President Noel Remick said it was difficult to find words to describe the quality of the aquatics complex. "I mean, what do you say?" Remick said. "It's great. I think the whole community should feel responsible for its construction."
Myrtha Pools along with Darden Architects, designed and manufactured the 50m Olympic-size competition pool (50mx25ydx2m) and a warm-up pool (22mx11.5ydx1-1.50m) with Myrtha Technology. Harris Construction, Fresno based general contractor, constructed the complex along with DWR Inc. who installed both pools. Construction on the complex began in October 2013 and the pools arrived in Reedley at the end of January this year. The entire project ran smoothly and was completed in time for the new school year to start.
Opting for Myrtha's cutting-edge technology increased the cost of the $7 million aquatics project, but Kings Canyon Unified School District officials believe the added investment will pay for itself within seven to eight years through significant reductions in maintenance and repair costs.
John Quinto, Kings Canyon Unified's assistant superintendent for business services and diistrict officials believed that the advantages of Myrtha - which includes a 15-year warranty - was the better move and asked the board of trustees for final approval.
"It is, in my opinion, the best way to use our public funds," Quinto said.
"We'll get [the difference] back in seven to eight years," he added, saying that "our board was visionary" in approving state-of-the-art pool technology.
"We're the first to do something like this" in the Valley, said Juan Garza, the district's superintendent. "We're proud to be the leaders on something like this."
