First in a series – Competition gym
Voters in the Greene County Community School District will be asked at the regular school election Sept. 8 to approve a $20 million bond issue for construction to create a campus for grades 5-12 at the current high school site, and to add classroom space at the elementary school. Total cost of the project is $22.8 million. The levy rate would increase $2.70 (per thousand dollars of taxable value).
The school in early July released a lengthy set of questions and answers about the project. To review that document, click here.
Superintendent Tim Christensen also answered more detailed questions about specific parts of the project. The first set of questions is about the competition gym proposed for the 5-12 campus, and about the future of the middle school gym.
Q. How large would the new gym at the high school be? What would be the seating capacity?
A. The new gymnasium would seat 1,700 people and have seating on both sides. It would be approximately 22,600 square feet. It would have four locker rooms
Q. Would there be amenities like a fitness room like we see in some other new gyms? What about handicap accessibility? How would the new gym compare to those at other HOIAC schools?
There would not be a new fitness room. The current plan is to continue using the existing weight room but provide a new enclosed access corridor to that space. The new gym would be handicap accessible. The new gym would compare favorably with the other HOIAC schools.
Q. Would there be separate shower/locker rooms to accommodate visiting teams?
A. There would be four locker rooms to accommodate four teams. This could include both boys and girls teams during the regular season or four teams for a district tournament.
Q. What is the cost of the gym?
A. Approximately $4.2 M is budgeted.
Q. How would a new gym benefit students athletes, fans, and/or the Greene County district?
The new gym would benefit student athletes by giving them an updated competition facility. Four locker rooms would eliminate the need for boys and girls to share a locker room during games. Travel for practice would be reduced. Additional practice space would reduce the need for morning basketball practices.
The new gym would benefit fans by giving them an updated facility to watch activities. The gym would be handicap accessible. There is a good possibility we would be able to host district and sub-state level competitions. The new gym would also provide significantly more parking. New parking will be off-street improving safety and accessibility.
The Greene County District patrons would benefit as this would eliminate the need to use the Greene County Community Center for volleyball and basketball practices and games which provides additional access to members
Q. Would the new gym be used for phys. ed. classes?
A. Yes, the new gym would be used for high school physical education class.
Q. What work at the middle school gym is included in the bond issue?
A. Work done in the middle school gym would be funded out of Voter Approve Physical Plant and Equipment Levy proceeds and would include making some modifications to the locker rooms and opening up the lobby area.
