Don t settle for good enough
Exciting things are happening. Marion-Florence USD 408 superintendent Lee Leiker told members of Marion Kiwanis Club Monday the district is discussing new facilities.
If voters approve, construction of a new gymnasium, indoor-outdoor swimming pool, and auditorium may be on the horizon for the school district.
According to Leiker, the gymnasium and indoor-outdoor pool would be built where the current pool is located. The auditorium would be constructed adjacent to Marion High School Gymnasium.
We already can hear the low hum of concern about how to pay for this endeavor. According to Leiker, the project can be done without increasing the mill levy. The district is about to pay off a $3.5 million bond issue that funded Marion Middle School and an addition at Marion Elementary School. The board of education now is looking down the road at future needs.
We also can hear the grumblings from citizens who are saying "the kids don't need this" and "back in my day we had a one-room schoolhouse and that was good enough."
That's the question: why should we settle for "good enough?"
Right now, there are four teams of Marion-Florence athletes practicing in three gymnasiums — one of which is in Florence. That sometimes means 80 athletes in one gym, according to Leiker.
The addition of a new competition-size gymnasium would allow room for practices and could open up opportunities for hosting sub-state or regional activities.
Marion needs a new pool. The current one is almost 50 years old and is outdated. It does not meet ADA standards and needs to be replaced. There are many people who travel to Newton, McPherson, and El Dorado to use the pool facilities there. An indoor-outdoor pool would allow these people (and others) to use facilities in Marion and attract others from nearby towns.
As for a new auditorium, that's a project that is long past due. The Marion school district has a tradition of turning out award-winning bands, vocalists, and actors. Each year bands and vocal groups bring home top ratings from contests. The drama department continues to wow audiences with musicals and plays. These students deserve a first-class facility for their first-class performances.
The grumblers are asking "what's wrong with the city building?" That can be answered in a word — space. There isn't enough room backstage for sets or actors and there isn't room to build on.
Leiker calls this a "win-win situation." Students get better facilities. Taxpayers won't see an increase in taxes. Marion sees an economic benefit by bringing more people to Marion for events and activities and providing top-notch amenities for others looking to move to Marion. He's right — it is a winner. It's better than "good enough." It's what Marion needs and deserves.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
