SWIMMING POOLS; SCHOOL FINANCE; SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION;

SCHOOLS - CONSTRUCTION;

You asked why including a swimming pool in a school construction project would lower the overall reimbursement amount.

According to David Wedge of the State Department of Education’s School Facilities Unit, the floor area occupied by a natatorium (the pool itself as well as the associated pump, locker, shower, and spectator areas) is included when measuring a school facility’s total floor area. If the actual area, including the natatorium, exceeds the maximum total area eligible for grant assistance, the total project costs are prorated down to adjust to the maximum eligible floor area. The reduction factor is based on total project costs, so including a swimming pool can result in a lower school construction reimbursement amount.

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