Marion board set to pursue new facilities

MARIA STEIN - Marion Local school board members announced Monday night they intend to pursue construction of a new auditorium, gymnasium and agriculture education complex.

As a first step, board members voted to establish a capital projects fund. They approved the transfer of $500,000 from the general fund into the new account. School officials reported the project's preliminary cost estimate at $15 million. Other amounts to be set aside in the new fund have not been determined.

"Discussions will continue on choosing an architect and creating a timeline to fund this project," superintendent Mike Pohlman said. "All funding options will be considered, including a levy, capital campaigns, grants and utilizing our capital fund savings account."

Pohlman said the board will spend the next year getting more detailed drawings and evaluating ways to fund the new facilities. No timetable has been set for the project.

While board members evaluate the long-range major improvements, they also are looking at other improvements.

"The practice band field and concession/restroom facility are still being pursued and discussed," Pohlman said. "All funding options are still being considered for this also." He noted estimates are being sought for those projects.

Earlier this year, board members reviewed input from residents who participated in a survey to gauge interest in various facility upgrades. A proposal for a new gym and ag education complex received a 70 percent approval rating, second only to the restroom/concession facility (which garnered a 75 percent approval rating). Forty percent of the participants favored the auditorium project.

Board members also met with Chickasaw engineer Brice Schmitmeyer and Chickasaw Board of Public Affairs members Al Lochtefeld and Jim Moorman concerning the district's tying into the new water system being pursued by the village.

Schmitmeyer updated the board on costs associated with extending a water line from the proposed new treatment plant in the industrial park south of the village. In addition to a new treatment plant, the village also plans to erect a new water tower.

The district would pay an estimated $600,000 to extend a 12-inch water line about 5,000 feet along state Route 716 to the south edge of district property, according to Schmitmeyer. He said based on a 30-year payback with a .55 percent loan, the district would pay $652,375. No firm estimate has been made on what the district's monthly bill would be if it ties into the Chickasaw system.

Schmitmeyer said the district's current expenses for maintaining its water wells would be eliminated if the water line were extended to the school.

He added the village will likely fund the project through a loan by the Ohio Public Works Commission, with the project going out for bids in late 2017 or early 2018. The project's total cost has been estimated at $2.5 million to $3 million.

The village will pursue the project, regardless of whether the district ties into the system, Schmitmeyer said.

Lochtefeld said the water line extension "would help out the entire community." He predicted when the project is completed, "you'll see a lot more development" in the industrial park.

Schmitmeyer said if the school pays to have the line extended, it would be compensated if residences or businesses in the area tap into the line.

"We don't expect an answer tonight," Schmitmeyer said, adding the village will be back in touch with the board later this summer.

Board members took no action on the issue.