Scoreboard race — Repairs underway ahead of conference meet
Kozisek Aquatic Center's 15-year-old scoreboard is failing, and officials are racing to fix it before hosting the 3A East Absaraka Conference boys varsity swimming meet Feb. 6-7.
Recreation Director Teresa Gross told the News Letter Journal that the scoreboard is “on its last leg” after many years in a demanding pool environment.
“It is over 15 years old, which is pretty good for a pool scoreboard,” Gross said. “We have to replace it, but we host conference next weekend, so we are patching it to work for that event.”
At the Jan. 28 Weston County School District No. 1 board meeting, Technology Director Beau Gregory said staff have spent considerable time trying to extend the scoreboard’s usability while exploring replacement options. He said the district is working with Colorado Time Systems, a company that provides timing and scoreboard equipment for swimming facilities, to gather quotes and evaluate alternatives for the pool’s timing and display equipment.
Gregory said crews have already worked extensively on the unit. As a short-term fix, technicians will attempt repairs on several lower panels. If those efforts fall short, the display layout will be adjusted so the system can function during conference competition. Once the immediate needs of the season are met, Gregory said, the district will review cost estimates and determine next steps for a long-term replacement.
The scoreboard issue follows the Dec. 8 reopening of the Kozisek Aquatic Center after major renovations and fundraising efforts aimed at extending the life of the facility.
“Our crew has worked their tail off to try to get the liner in, the chemicals and the boilers, and then, you sort of take a deep breath thinking, ‘Man, we’re there and it’s gonna be a great facility for those student athletes,’ and bam,” Superintendent Brad LaCroix told the NLJ.
He said the humidity and chemicals at pool facilities make electronic failures difficult to avoid.
Gregory told the NLJ Feb. 2 that he anticipates receiving a quote later that day or on Feb. 3 and that he estimated that it would be between $25,000 and $50,000.