PORT ORCHARD — The beleaguered South Kitsap Community Pool will soon get its long-awaited modernization and refurbishment project underway, thanks to a Jan. 19 vote by the South Kitsap School District’s board of directors.

Pegged by district officials to cost around $10.4 million, the project covers extensive repairs to the pool’s roof, lighting and HVAC system. The project will include creating a revised shallow end with a re-sloped concrete floor, ADA-compliant changes, a new boiler, and other upgrades to the building and pool.

The school board agreed by a 4-1 vote to award a contract to upgrade and repair the ’70s-era pool to Christiansen Inc., which submitted a low bid of $8,448,045. Five other companies had submitted slightly higher bids for the work.

Director Jeff Daily voted against awarding the contract. He said district residents needed more time to weigh in on the expenditure and worried that costs could rise beyond district estimates after work begins on the project.

Approximately $2 million from state Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding will be spent to upgrade the HVAC system and replace the pool building’s roof. Also budgeted is money to provide a new ADA-compliant locker room.

Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Farmer told board members she expects the work will get underway later this spring. She said the project should be completed next year, although supply-chain issues could disrupt the completion schedule.