Sandusky Schools aquatic center gaining support

SANDUSKY — Sandusky Schools' quest for a new aquatic center is almost complete, campaign supporters said.Sandusky Education Foundation executive director Jennifer Lippus recently shared how close they are to their $6.7 million goal."We are almost 70 percent to goal and continue to have great success with foundation, business and individual contributions," she said. As of September, more than half of the $4.7 million needed was raised for the project. Along with donations, $2 million already approved by taxpayers from the district's bond issue, approved in November 2016, will also fund the initiative. By April 1, the Sandusky Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fundraises for the district's needs, must have enough pledges in place to move forward. If the funds are not raised by then, the school district will return to its original plan to use the $2 million in local tax money voters approved to renovate the existing pool.Community members and the Sandusky Education Foundation are fundraising for a new Sandusky Aquatic Center, which would have two pools, classrooms and more at Sandusky High School. The high school's current pool is more than 60 years old and has multiple problems. Last fall, Lippus and supporters unveiled their vision for the new Sandusky Aquatic Center that would feature two pools.One of the two pools will be fashioned from the remains of the original pool at the high school on Hayes Avenue, which is more than 60 years old and long past its prime. It would be replaced with a shallow, four-lane, 25-yard pool for teaching and community activities.The second pool would be an eight-lane, 25-yard pool for competitions built on the parking lot area behind the present pool on the backside of the high school building. When not being used for competitions, the larger pool will be used for recreational purposes, and the complex would also serve as a learning center where elementary school students would take swimming lessons as part of school curriculum.Additionally, the new facility will have locker rooms for students and members of the public. The design plan also includes offices, new filtration systems, expanded pool decks and more.An artist rendering of the interior of the new Sandusky Aquatic Center at Sandusky High School.The Wightman Wieber Foundation, other organizations and individuals, in addition to the Dorn Foundation, have already pledged support, Lippus said.If the expanded aquatic center comes to fruition, community members of all ages will have access to programs like swimming lessons, physical therapy group sessions and more. Project officials talked with coaches, community groups and school officials to get a feel for what's needed, which has been incorporated into architect Ted Wallover's design.Pool architect Ted Wallover and Sandusky Education Foundation director Jennifer Lippus visit the Register for "Between the Lines" on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018.Sandusky Schools superintendent Eugene Sanders previously said he welcomes the support from the community and hopes supporters succeed in their fundraising efforts. He also said a new pool complex will not result in increased operating expenses for the district because the upgrades will result in a much more efficient pool complex.Repair costs for the old pool also will be eliminated, he said.Due to leaks, the pool at Sandusky High School loses a couple inches a water a day and needs to be filled back up to normal levels.How they're gaining supportLippus and supporters have promoted the campaign, called Jump In Sandusky, on Facebook and Twitter. Sandusky High School junior Tyler Franklin is helping to run these social media accounts.They also updated the Sandusky Education Foundation's website, sanduskyef.org, which anyone can use to donate.Lippus said supporters have met with companies, individuals and foundations for donations."We're going out talking with business leaders for corporate gifts, sending information packets to individuals like alumni and past swim team members — they're helping spread the word," she said.Since it began, the campaign has received letters of support from the Erie County commissioners, the city of Sandusky, Ability Works and Erie Metroparks, with the latter two outlining possible programming they'd like to have at the facility.Lippus said she has a positive outlook on the campaign."We feel like there's a lot of good buzz right now," she said. "Business leaders are aware of the project and we've not had a negative response in a meeting yet. I think a lot of that has to do with we don't have pools with community programming anymore. It's a very definite need in the community."We feel good about it. Forging ahead, it's going to be a good project."Money is being raised to create the Sandusky Aquatic Center, which would have two pools, classrooms, locker rooms and more. The current Sandusky High School pool is more than 60 years old and has multiple problems. Want to donate?• Call Jennifer Lippus at 419-370-3770 and find more information about the project at sanduskyef.org and on Facebook and Twitter.Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodA rendering of what a new eight-lane pool could look like at the new Sandusky Aquatic Center, if $4.7 million in donations is raised.