JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley School District officials received an update on the new aquatic center during Tuesday's school board meeting.

Matt Hansen, the IKM architect working on the new natatorium, said the design is progressing well and feedback from district representatives has been helpful.

Hansen said Seneca Valley representatives were able to experience and critique the design of the proposed pool through the use of virtual reality headset technology. IKM published the virtual tour on Seneca Valley's website so community members are able to experience the design so far and provide feedback as well.

“I just wish we could show everyone through this technology,” he said.

Hansen discussed building the pool with stainless steel, a popular choice, or the more traditional concrete. He said the cost difference was barely enough to factor into the decision.

Each pool makeup holds different benefits and disadvantages, such as sanitation, chemical formulas for pool water, accessibility in entering and exiting the pool, and frequency in need to drain the pool. Hansen suggested that a stainless steel pool will need less upkeep and will not need to be replaced as soon as a concrete model.

In upcoming meetings, Hansen said the focus will be discussions on safety and security, branding and interior finishes, and the cost estimate. IKM is on track to meet deadlines, with bids being the next phase of the project, Hansen said.

Contract bids will occur in late April, and construction is still estimated to begin in June and continue into the first quarter of 2020.