As the Boerne ISD high school water polo teams prepare to enter district action, they still have no "home pool" where they can train and compete. But the district has set a date -- Dec. 1, 2025 -- for the eventual opening of the Boerne ISD Aquatics Learning Center.
The district broke ground Sept. 19, 2023 on the $8.7 million aquatics learning center on land near Cibolo Creek Elementary School and Champion High School. The facility, approved by Boerne voters in the 2022 bond election, was slated for an August 2024 opening, in time for the 2024-25 water polo and swim seasons.
That never happened.
Nine months later, with the project still incomplete, Boerne school officials on May 7 entered talks with the contractor, Tegrity Contractors, and set a renewed “substantial completion” date of May 28.
That never happened, either.
Just two weeks later the district severed its contract with Tegrity — whose chief operations officer in that May meeting said, “I know this project has been a source of frustration. I’m happy to be a part of the solution, even though our team did create the problem.” Tegrity never became a part of the solution and was sent packing in early June.
With the selection of a new contractor -- Waterman Construction of Boerne -- the district has monitored progress and feels enough confidence in Waterman to release the estimated opening date.
"We are excited to announce significant progress on the Aquatics Learning Center, now under the direction of our new contractor, Waterman Construction," the district said in an Aug. 26 statement. "Waterman came on board and hit the ground running, with the Aquatics Learning Center expected to be completed by Dec. 1, 2025."
The district acknowledges that the Aquatics Learning Center project faced several challenges and setbacks since the commencement of construction.
"However, we remain committed to the ALC’s successful completion," said Maggie Domiguez, BISD executive director of communications.
"Now, with construction back on track, the district is confident that our students will be able to enjoy this state-of-the-art facility that will offer students expanded opportunities for physical education, wellness, competition and aquatic learning by the start of the spring semester," she said.
The district’s top priority, according to Superintendent Dr. Kristin Craft, is delivering a state-of-the-art aquatics facility that serves the needs of its students and the Boerne community.
“We’re confident the new contractor shares that vision and will supply the focus and capability needed to bring the project back on track,” Craft said.
Even if the facility -- now more than a year overdue -- was to open sooner, it’s doubtful the district could have the staff and expertise in place to properly operate and manage the facility.
“There’s a significant amount of training that needs to happen,” Craft said earlier in the year. “(Athletic Director Stan) Leech, his staff, operations, maintenance — they need to go through training ... and we need to hire the person who is going to be responsible for this beautiful site."
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