The San Benito school board took its first step toward building an aquatic center at a meeting Tuesday. Board members unanimously picked GMS Architects, a Brownsville-based firm, from three proposals. The firm will outline preliminary plans.
The aquatic center was included in a $40 million bond issue voters passed in 2018, with a price tag of $8.8 million. A previous board had abandoned an earlier project that combined a performing arts theater and an aquatic center after spending about $12 million, according to the report.
Board President Orlando Lopez said Wednesday that it is great to get the project going after a long delay. He said the project is good for the community and for students. Lopez said GMS is already doing work for the district and has done a tremendous job. GMS is also working on a $24 million performing arts theater at Veterans Memorial Academy, which began construction earlier this year.