Uniontown board hears problems concerning pool area
During a brief work session Monday, the Uniontown Area School Board heard from the director of buildings and grounds about the poor condition of the high school pool area and the need to refurbish it. Rob Smalley said the entire pool area must be overhauled soon due to system failures and rapidly deteriorating conditions.
“That area of the building ages a little faster due to the corrosive environment,” Smalley said. “It is aging like everything else, and there are better systems out there.”
Smalley said that after examining the pool with the district’s architect, Mark Altman, and other experts, the group found major problems with the heating and ventilation system and plumbing problems that cause water to clog in the locker room shower heads.
Smalley said tiles are separating due to the constant damp environment, and the diving board and mount need replacing.
He noted that the speaker system also is in need of repair, as is the scoreboard.
The board also heard from a group of parents concerned about the condition of the pool area.
“We are just requesting the basic fundamentals for an athletic event,” said Dan Duncan, whose two daughters have participated on the swim team at Uniontown. “It is really an excellent sport. It not only gives the kids a chance to compete; it is also great exercise,” he added.
Board President Harry Kaufman said the board would commit some funding for the required projects but that he would not rush into things.
“There will be improvements in the pool area,” Kaufman said. “We are moving forward with that, and we will do things as we can.”
Smalley said he hoped to have at next month’s work session some cost estimates for the renovations.
The board also heard from district construction manager Sam Denny concerning the Wharton Elementary School renovation. Denny told the directors that weather has delayed progress, but excavation due to pyrite is nearly complete, and contractors hope to pour footers for the additions in the next week.
He also said that a meeting has been scheduled with experts to discuss roofing problems at A.J. McMullen School.
At the close of Monday’s meeting, district Superintendent Charles Machesky expressed his gratitude to the late James Dunn, who passed away after years of service to the district as an educator and most recently as an in-school suspension officer.
Machesky said that while Dunn was a personal friend, he also was a friend to many students throughout the years and would be dearly missed.