Pool Announcements

Dear Campus and Community,

We would like to remind you of the town hall discussion taking place today, May 12, at 6 p.m. in Workman Hall.  This meeting will also be available by Zoom and also recorded.  Please RSVP here to receive a Zoom link and a passcode if you would like to attend remotely; this information will be sent by 4 p.m. today.

We would also like to share a webpage that contains important dates, information and updates about the status of the pool and this process: https://www.nmt.edu/physrec/pool.php. We have added information that includes tonight's powerpoint presentation, and photos and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scans of the NMT pool.

We hope to see many of you at the town hall tonight.

Dear Campus and Community:

We are writing to provide an update on the status of our pool and our ongoing efforts to ensure a sustainable future to serve our community's aquatic needs. Since the on-campus town hall on February 26 and our presentation to the Socorro City Council, we have met with representatives from the City, County and School District. Additionally, we have worked to determine both the short- and long-term viability of our current pool facility.

As we have previously shared, this must be a data-driven decision process.  We identified the benefits and challenges of our options to help clarify our next steps.  Then, on Friday, May 1, we received a formal recommendation from our contractor advising us against the refilling and use of the NMT Pool. We have included the report and photos at the end of this email; it noted amongst other things:

• Active and progressive cracking. Recent site photos and aerial imagery confirm that cracking in the pool deck is widening and expanding over time, indicating that the structure is not stabilized. 
• Structural distress insensitive areas. Significant spreading and cracking are present at the transition to the deep end. This area is under extreme stress, and the movement suggests the subgrade (the ground beneath the pool) may be settling or eroding. 
• Evidence of ongoing movement and failure of previous repairs. Prior patching has failed to stop the movement. In several areas, the patch material remains bonded while the surrounding concrete continues to shift, proving that the underlying issues are unresolved. 
• Potential deterioration of reinforcing steel. Open cracks allow chlorinated water to migrate beneath the deck, which risks eroding the subgrade further and accelerating the corrosion of the reinforcing steel.
• Serious life-safety and liability concerns. Reintroducing the weight and pressure of water (hydrostatic pressure) into the pool may trigger additional structural failure or exacerbate existing distress. 

The report explicitly advises that the pool not be refilled and that further evaluation be performed by structural and geotechnical professionals to determine the root cause of the movement before any future service can be considered.

In light of these findings, we are moving forward with an agreement to oversee the City’s pool as the Socorro Regional Aquatic Center (SRAC). We are currently finalizing an equitable Memorandum of Agreement MOA with the City. We know this regional partnership is the first step in testing to see how the year-round pool might work in Socorro.  

While we had hoped for a soft opening of the SRAC on May 18, the City has been working diligently to complete a number of updates to prepare their facility for the upcoming Summer season. Please note the following key target dates: 

• May 12: Town Hall discussion regarding the pool status and future plans in Workman Center 101 at 6:00 PM.  This meeting will also be available by zoom.  Please RSVP here to receive a zoom link and a passcode if you would like to attend remotely. The information will be sent by 4:00 PM on May 12.
• June 1: Target date to open the SRAC to the public.  This aligns with the facility’s traditional seasonal schedule and allows for necessary lifeguard training.
• Early June: Youth free swim is programmed to begin on its traditional schedule. 

NMT remains committed to exploring ways to ensure year-round aquatic activities remain a vital part of the Socorro experience. 

We look forward to seeing many of you at the town hall and answering your questions. 

Sincerely,

David Greene
Delilah Walsh 

Report from Franken Construction

Date: May 1, 2026
Subject: Recommendation Against Refilling and Use of Pool Based on Observed Deck and Structural Distress

Purpose
This memo documents observed conditions at the pool deck and pool structure, as reflected in recent site photographs and prior marked-up exhibits, and provides reasons why the pool should not be refilled or placed back into use at this time.

Observed Conditions and Concerns

Based on visual inspections and photographic documentation, the following conditions have been identified:

• Active and Progressive Cracking:
  The pool deck exhibits multiple areas of cracking that show signs of ongoing movement, including widening and propagation over time. Comparison of earlier aerial imagery with recent site photos indicates that cracking has expanded and worsened.
• Distress at Structurally Sensitive Areas:
  Notable cracking and “spreading” behavior is present at the transition to the deeper end of the pool. This location is particularly susceptible to stress concentration, and the observed cracking suggests differential movement or settlement in this area.
• Evidence of Ongoing Movement:
  Crack characteristics vary across the deck, with some areas exhibiting rounded, weathered edges (indicating older movement) and others showing sharp, fresh edges (indicating recent or ongoing movement). This pattern suggests that movement is not isolated or stabilized.
• Failure of Previous Repairs:
  Prior patching efforts have failed to arrest cracking. In several locations, patch material remains bonded while adjacent concrete has continued to move, confirming that underlying structural or subgrade issues have not been resolved.
• Water Infiltration and Subgrade Risk:
  Open cracks and failed repairs allow water to migrate beneath the pool deck. Given the deck slope, prolonged infiltration is likely, increasing the risk of subgrade erosion, loss of support, and additional settlement.
• Potential Reinforcing Steel Deterioration:
  Continued exposure of cracks and patches to chlorinated pool water increases the risk of water reaching reinforcing steel. Chlorinated moisture can accelerate corrosion, reducing structural capacity and worsening cracking over time.
• Life-Safety and Liability Concerns:
  The existing deck conditions present tripping hazards and raise concerns regarding the ability of the surrounding structure to safely accommodate pool water loads and active use. Reintroducing hydrostatic pressure may exacerbate existing distress or trigger additional failure.

Recommendation

Based on the observed conditions above, it is recommended that:

• The pool not be refilled or reopened for use at this time.
• No reliance be placed on the existing deck or prior patching as evidence of structural stability.
• Further evaluation be performed by a qualified structural engineer and/or geotechnical professional to determine the root cause of the movement and to define appropriate corrective measures before any return to service.

View the pool photos (click on the photo to enlarge).

Dear Tech and Swim Center Community,

As promised, we are writing to provide an update on the status of our pool and our ongoing efforts to ensure a sustainable future to serve our community's aquatic needs. Whether through the continued service of the NMT Swim Center or the establishment of a dedicated regional aquatic center for the Socorro community, our priority remains the same: to provide a safe, quality environment for our students, employees, and neighbors.

Since the on-campus town hall on February 26, we have made significant progress while prioritizing transparency and collaboration. We have met with the Socorro City Council and county leadership, drafted a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the city (currently under review following their feedback), and jointly pursued multiple federal funding opportunities. We have also engaged directly with community stakeholders, including our local swim teams, to better understand programmatic needs and priorities. In parallel, we have continued to assess projected costs to ensure a sustainable long-term plan.

Throughout this process, we have closely monitored the current “bubble” structure at the pool to maintain safe temperature and environmental conditions. We are encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community, particularly the shared priority of minimizing disruption to services. We are also grateful for the strong collaboration and support from the Socorro School District, Socorro County, the Socorro City Council, and especially Mayor Bhasker.

While we are encouraged by our progress, we must remain data-driven. The following timelines allow us to perform necessary safety testing and begin a phased transition:

• April 5: The NMT pool will close for draining and removal of the bubble. During this time, pool-only memberships for NMT employees will be paused (payments temporarily suspended), and combined pool-and-gym memberships will be adjusted to reflect gym-only access.
• NMT Pool Community (Seniors, Alumni, NRAO, and Retirees) memberships will be paused, and expiration dates will be extended as needed to align with the closure timeline. 
• April 9: Tech will collect Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) readings of the NMT Swim Center Deck and Pool as soon as the bubble comes down. The results of this study are critical; they will confirm the structural stability and safety, as well as the long-term viability of the current pool. 
• Mid-April: Approval of the final MOA by the City of Socorro Council and NMT Board of Regents.
• Late April: In collaboration with the City of Socorro, we will begin preparations for the potential opening of the Socorro Regional Aquatic Center (SRAC), including staff training and facility transitions.
• May 18: Our target soft opening date for the SRAC. Tech’s normal pool operations will transition to the SRAC for NMT students and our pool members. We are working toward an ambitious goal of May 4, but we have set May 18 as the target to ensure all safety and operational standards are met.  Employee membership payments will resume upon the SRAC’s opening. Modified, seasonal memberships are being developed.
• May 26: Our target date to open the SRAC to the public, if not sooner.  This is the usual time frame when the Socorro City pool is open to the community.
• Early June: Youth free swim is programmed to open on its traditional schedule. 
• Throughout this timeframe, Tech will continue to explore permanent structures for year-round activities and thermal, insulated pool covers to extend seasons if a permanent structure is not financially feasible or until one is acquired.

While we are moving forward with these steps, no final, permanent decision has been, or will be, made until we are fully confident in the financial viability of the long-term plan. We are currently finalizing projected costs and budget requirements for the SRAC to ensure any transition is fiscally responsible and sustainable for the University.  Tech will continue to evaluate the future long-term viability of the NMT Swim Center deck and pool. 

We appreciate your patience and support throughout this process. We are committed to keeping you informed as the data comes in and as we work together to find the best path forward for the University and the Socorro community.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Greene, VPSA
Delilah Walsh, VPAF

Dear New Mexico Tech Students, Faculty, Staff, and Socorro Community Members,

As a follow-up to the February 26 Town Hall meeting regarding the future of the NMT Swim Center and our potential transition to a regional aquatic center, we have developed the attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to address the primary questions people have.  As we mentioned during our discussion, as more information becomes available, we will be sure to update the community with our next steps.

Thank you for your continued engagement and feedback.

NMT University Communications

NMT Aquatics FAQs (PDF) 

Dear Campus Community,

I want to share an important update regarding the swim center, and do so first and foremost from a place of care and compassion for our students, employees, and the broader Socorro community.

After extensive evaluation, it has become clear that the New Mexico Tech Swim Center will need to close permanently in March 2026 due to significant infrastructure challenges and prohibitive repair costs exceeding $3 million. We recognize that this facility has been more than a pool, it has been a space for wellness, connection, learning, and community for many years. We know this news may be difficult, and we want to acknowledge the very real sense of loss that can accompany change like this.

At the same time, we are actively working toward a thoughtful and sustainable path forward. In partnership with the city of Socorro, New Mexico Tech is pursuing a plan to transition aquatic programming to a year-round regional facility by enclosing the existing municipal pool. To fund this vision, NMT has submitted an $800,000 Capital Outlay request during the current Legislative Session. This approach allows us to preserve access to aquatic programs for students and community members while being fiscally responsible and forward-looking.

This transition will take place over the coming months, and no immediate changes are occurring at this time. Our focus right now is on planning, coordination, and advocacy-- including making the project shovel-ready-- to ensure continuity of services and a targeted transition for all who rely on aquatic access by June 2026..

We are committed to keeping the campus community informed as plans progress. As decisions are finalized and timelines are confirmed, we will share updates regularly and transparently. The timeline will be shared after the 2026 Legislative Session ends and the timeline will include opportunities for campus and community feedback. Your questions, concerns, and feedback matter, and we will continue to approach this work with care, clarity, and respect for those impacted.

Thank you for your understanding, your patience, and your continued commitment to New Mexico Tech and our community.

Best regards,

David Greene
Vice President of Student Affairs