Members of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District school board, administration and community celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Aquatics Center.
The athletic facility will open Spring 2014 and serve students participating in campus swimming programs and the public. Located on the east side of J. Lewis Boggus Stadium, S. 13th and E. Jackson, it is expected to include a 10-lane 25-yard competition pool, a separate fitness pool and a diving well. Also planned is a seating area to hold 450 spectators.
“This facility is one piece of our district’s transformation that will lead us and our students into the 21st century,” said Superintendent Dr. Steve Flores. “ The Aquatics Center will provide our students with an environment to nurture athletic abilities and further increase scholarship opportunities. It’s part of our efforts to continue excellence in athletics, academics and arts.
Voters approved the new facility in May 2010 as part of the $98.6 million bond initiative. The expected cost for the center is $7.88 million.
“We are extremely excited about this new facility,” said Rene Flores, swimming coach at Harlingen High School South. “This new center will allow our swimmers to be able to be better competitors and it will give them the opportunity to train with state of the art equipment.”
“It’s really going to make a huge difference because it’s going to draw in the students and the Harlingen community,” said Daniel Brandon, swimming coach at Harlingen High School. “We are looking forward to the kids being able to have a place to call their own.”
Additional bond projects include the AG Farm, Performing Arts Center, the new Memorial Middle School campus and Boggus Stadium renovations.
