Bryan Nolan, dives into the pool at the new aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, following the ribbon-cutting festivities. The facility was funded by a school bond measure passed by voters in 2014. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
It’s the latest big-ticket project funded by the $175 million school improvement bond measure Fullerton Joint Union High School District voters approved in 2014.
Students jump into the newly renovated swimming pool at Troy High School in Fullerton on Wednesday September 6, 2017. A ribbon cutting was held for the new pool which was funded by a school bond measure passed by voters in 2014. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)s
Bryan Nolan, dives into the pool at the new aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, following the ribbon-cutting festivities. The facility was funded by a school bond measure passed by voters in 2014. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Troy High School marching band helps celebrate the unveiling of the $6.8 million aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton. The facility’s ribbon-cutting took place on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dr. Joanne Fawley, Fullerton Joint Union High School District board member, from left, Bob Hathaway, board member, William Mynster, Troy High School principal and Andy Montoya, board of trustees president, cut a ribbon to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton on Wednesday September 6, 2017. The facility was held for the new pool which was funded by a school bond measure passed by voters in 2014. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Water Polo player Garret Dowell launches off the diving board following the ribbon-cutting festivities celebrating the $6.8 million aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton on Wednesday September 6, 2017. The facility was funded by a school bond measure passed by voters in 2014. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students frolic in the $6.8 million aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton which includes a large screen at left. The facility’s ribbon-cutting took place on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Troy High School color guard and athletes arrive for the unveiling of the $6.8 million aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton on Wednesday September 6, 2017. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A large multi-purpose screen is one of many renovations at the Troy High School aquatics facility in Fullerton on Wednesday September 6, 2017. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students enjoy the $6.8 million aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton. The facility’s unveiling took place on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students enjoy the $6.8 million aquatics facility at Troy High School in Fullerton. The facility’s ribbon-cutting took place on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, and was funded by a school bond measure passed by voters in 2014. (Photo by Ana Venegas, Orange County Register/SCNG)s
“The seniors were all here when (the pool) when down,” said Jason Wilson, the school’s longtime boys and girls water polo coach. “So the looks on their faces today were the strongest.
“There’s some kids here who’ve never had a pool at their school,” Wilson continued, “and some who had theirs pulled from them in the middle of their season. They’re really excited.”
Troy’s haven features many of the same amenities as Sunny Hills’ facility.
The 45-meter pool is more than twice as large as its predecessor. It’s as deep as 13 feet and as shallow as 3 feet, 6 inches. There are new showers at the entrance, a new video board and a new sound system.
Troy “already has a successful aquatics program,” said Andy Montoya, school board president. “Now they have a home base they can use to their advantage.
“The community also will be able to use it,” Montoya continued. “Kids are going to be able to use this year-round.”
Since 2015, Troy’s water polo and swim programs have practiced and played at nearby pools. Being nomadic for so long had its difficulties, Wilson said, chief among them a low turnout rate for lower-level teams because kids didn’t want to travel off-campus to participate.
Yet, in the past week or two, Wilson said several students have inquired about joining the aquatics program.
“It’s been a journey getting the kids together, traveling around to find pools, to find time,” Wilson said. “A lot of people worked with us, the community helped us.
“Having a pool on campus now is really nice.”
Niko Vaccher, a fourth-year water polo player, said the convenience of walking from the classroom to the aquatics facility will be a relief, and should help build team chemistry.
Plus, the pool, he said, “looks really good on campus.”
