JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley School Board this week picked a design partner for its pool project.

The board directed the administration to begin negotiations with IKM, an architecture firm based in Pittsburgh, Monday night for the design of an aquatics center. Once a final contract is drawn up, it will be approved by the board and design work will begin.

IKM was the choice of eight school directors of the three architecture firms the board interviewed last month.

The board has not committed to building a new natatorium or renovating the current pool, which is 53 years old, but the architect will explore the costs, time lines and design possibilities of both options.

This is the first official step toward deciding what to do with the aging pool after discussions began several years ago.

Most board members said that the firms that were under consideration were well qualified, but one came out on top for its ideas for creating a multiuse aquatics center that would benefit both the school and community at large.