Proposed Marion Local upgrades receive mixed results in survey

MARIA STEIN - Discussions continue about new and upgraded Marion Local Schools facilities as resident support varies among the six proposals.

According to the results of an online community survey, residents most strongly support the construction of a restroom/concession facility (75 percent in favor), a new gym and ag education complex (70 percent) and construction of classroom space to make the entire addition a complete high school (57 percent).

Projects opposed by a majority of the 270 participants were the band practice field and band/storage building/bus garage (41 percent in favor), auditorium (40 percent) and additional practice fields (36 percent).

Superintendent Mike Pohlman said at Monday night's work session that he thinks district officials haven't made clear the need for the projects receiving little support.

"The thing that stands out is that the community still needs some more communication," he said.

After processing the survey results, committee members met with Minster architectural firm Garmann Miller & Associates.

"They took exactly what we asked (on the survey) and put it into a rough sketch," Pohlman said.

Architect Brad Garmann explained the firm assessed district buildings and then prepared a list of short-term and long-term options. The cost of upgrades ranged from $2.9 million in the short term to $10.7 million in the long term. The firm also prepared a master plan based on projects suggested by the committee.

"The master plan is presented in phases, which are not necessarily in order," Garmann said. "Not all of them have to be done. This is a work in progress."

In a slide presentation, Garmann noted possible locations for the proposed projects.

The cost of completing all master plan projects and upgrades to existing buildings would be between $16.11 million and $25.38 million, according to data from Garmann Miller.

The estimated cost of the projects are concessions/restroom, $360,000-$450,000; new gym with seating for 1,400 people, $7.3 million-$8 million; ag education facility, $2 million-$2.2 million; auditorium, $2.5 million-$2.8 million; band field, storage building, bus shelter, $899,000-995,000; and additional practice fields, $200,000-$240,000. No figures were presented on the cost of additional classroom space.

The projects would be financed with local funds, Pohlman said. The district received state funds for high school and middle school projects in 1999 and would be ineligible for additional state assistance for new construction.
Most of the buildings would be built north of the baseball field and could be joined to the current junior high school, Garmann said. Nearby utility lines and the need to improve drainage made that area the best for expansion. The drainage work would cost about $100,000.

Pohlman said a priority was to keep the projects from altering Booster Field football stadium or the refurbished baseball field.

"I don't think that would go over well with the community. I want to keep my job," he said with a laugh.

The district lacks gymnasium space to accommodate the various girls and boys sports teams, he said. The tentative master plan calls for the construction of a 14,000-square-foot gym, Garmann said.

Board member Brenda Schwieterman asked Garmann if building the ag education complex, new gym and auditorium in one project instead of in phases would be more economical. Garmann said that approach would save about 10 to 15 percent of the cost.

Board member Randy Bruns asked if drawings of the proposed buildings could be available to provide a better idea of how the projects would look. Garmann said renderings are generally not done at this time because changes may be needed before a levy campaign and actual construction.

Pohlman asked Garmann for a tentative construction time table if a decision is made by June to seek passage of a bond levy in November. Garmann said it would take about three years from the time a levy is passed until a new high school would be ready.

Board president Elaine Pierron said the board will continue to discuss the options.

Following the review, treasurer Heather Cramer presented a workshop to explain various components of financial reports to board members.