NMT Swimming Center

 

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).