Tuesday, January 12th, 2016
Athletic complex plans changing
By Shelley Grieshop
Photo by Shelley Grieshop/The Daily Standard
St. Henry schools board of education members and school staff gather Monday night for the first meeting of 2016. Board member Andy Fullenkamp, sixth from right, was elected president, and Paul Moorman, seventh from right, was elected vice president. Moorman and new board member Brad Nerderman - both elected in November - were sworn in prior to the regular board meeting.
ST. HENRY - Plans to build a large athletic complex near the school are changing to please the public and keep down costs.
St. Henry Athletic Booster Club members Nathan Schwieterman and Eric Huelskamp on Monday night gave an update of the plans to the school board and asked for their blessing to proceed.
"We're here, basically, to seek approval from the board to begin fundraising," Schwieterman said, adding the project won't go forward without financing in place and the board's OK.
He asked the board to first review and approve a licensing agreement drafted by the club's attorney. The document details the responsibilities and operations of the athletic club and the school district for the proposed building.
The board took no action Monday night.
The proposed athletic complex - first introduced to the school board in November 2014 - would be built to the east of the high school on district-owned land. Plans include dual basketball courts, batting cages, a training room, an upstairs weight room and other facilities.
"We want to take out the walking track," he said.
Schwieterman said the area initially planned for a walking track wouldn't be long enough, so the idea was nixed.
Also, the preliminary design has been "flip-flopped" so the heating and air-conditioning unit, as well as other utility equipment would be closer to the school for better access and cost savings, Schwieterman said.
Schwieterman and Huelskamp told the newspaper they do not have an estimated cost for the project. Architects are still working on a final design, they added.
Athletic booster club members are soliciting input for the facility from school officials, community members and organizations that would have access to it.
Although school funds won't be used to construct the building, ownership and operating costs would fall to the district upon completion. Board president Andy Fullenkamp said a feasibility study will be conducted to determine operating expenses when the design is complete.
Board member Russ Bensman asked if the current fundraising campaign by village squad members to construct a new $900,000 building might interfere with the athletic club's fundraising measures.
"It may take us longer to raise the money for what we need," Schwieterman said, but added there will always be a competing fundraising effort. "We want to move forward."
St. Henry teacher Mindy Siefring asked if the location for the complex was "set in stone." Students and teachers sometimes use the grassy property for recess and outdoor classes, she said.
Schwieterman said the area is a "good fit" close to the school and no other property is under consideration. The first site suggested was the former Buschur property to the north of the school. However, it was deemed too small for the proposed complex.
Siefring also questioned how students, organizations and others will share the new facility. Schwieterman said hours likely will be dedicated for specific use.
The district currently uses the Wally Post Athletic Complex at the stadium along state Route 118. However, it is more than 30 years old and too small, athletic club members have said.
In other business, the board,
• approved hiring Josh Schneider as a new high school assistant track coach for the 2015-2016 year. He is a St. Henry High School graduate and participated in track as a student.
• approved hiring Kyle Kunk and Eric Kunkler as volunteer baseball coaches for the 2015-2016 year. The pair previously held the positions.
• approved maternity leave and possible Family Medical Leave Act for teacher Emily Reinhard beginning about March 16.
