Students, athletes & entire community expected to benefit from project

There are a lot of exciting changes underway at schools in the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District thanks to local voters passing Measure M, a $95 million general obligation bond, in the November 2016 election.
“We are really excited to be moving forward with Measure M,” PRJUSD Superintendent Chris Williams said.
One big change is the construction of the Paso Robles Community Aquatic Complex at Paso Robles High School. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for April 9.
With $5.7 million of Measure M allocated towards the aquatic complex, Phase 1 construction is expected to be completed in January 2019. This will cover costs associated with land excavation, pool construction, decking, lighting, bleachers, diving blocks, and pool equipment.
“We are focusing on a high performance, state-of-the-art facility,” said PRJUSD Manager of Facilities and Planning Cheryl Mollan.
Additional funding totaling $2.5 million is being sought to provide athlete changing rooms, a public restroom facility, student classroom, staff meeting room, and a concession stand; volunteers with the 4A Foundation for Paso Schools have set about fulfilling this fundraising goal.
A Game Changer
When Jen Brown first heard about the aquatic complex project, she thought she was dreaming. She has been coaching, teaching, and working as an aquatics director at various facilities in SLO county, primarily in Paso Robles, for decades.
“All of us in the aquatic community here in North County have been waiting for more than 30 years to have a functional and competitive aquatic complex,” Brown said. “Over the course of that time, there have been countless project proposals that never came to fruition. The fact that we are finally able to provide our community and our athletes with a high-quality facility is like a dream.”
The aquatic complex, according to Brown, will have a lasting impact on local students.
“It’s a true game changer for the future,” she said. “Not only will our athletes reap the benefits, but we will be able to provide career tech studies and create jobs. Additionally, the ability to ensure that every student learns skills to keep them safe in and around the water will save lives, enabling our district to give the gift of water safety to all students.”
There will also be adult programs, senior programs, rehabilitation, and more offered onsite, according to Athletic Director Rich Clayton.
“We will open it up to the community,” Clayton said. “People can get involved and their kids can swim in it, and then their grandkids, and they’ll be able to say, ‘I remember when we helped put this pool here.’ This is a real community project – it is an opportunity to be involved with something that will be a cornerstone of this community much in the same way as War Memorial Stadium.”