More plans revealed for new gym, pools, auditorium
Staff reporter
With a tap of his hand on the wall, members of Marion Chamber of Commerce were asked to answer "opportunity knocking."
This is how Lee Leiker, USD 408 superintendent, began his presentation Friday to members.
Leiker explained early planning was taking place regarding new facilities for the Marion-Florence school district.
A bond soon will be paid, said Leiker, which will give patrons in the district an opportunity to have additional school improvements without raising taxes.
An $8 million project that would include a new gymnasium, indoor pool, outdoor pool, and auditorium will be proposed to voters on the April ballot.
Of that amount, 32 percent or $2.4 million will be provided with state funds. The remainder would be paid with a new bond issue which would be the same amount as the previous to prevent an increase in taxes.
Proposed gym, pools
Gymnasium space currently is a premium.
There are three gymnasiums in Marion and one in Florence but it still is not sufficient for practices or other opportunities.
"Right now, we have teams practicing at 8 p.m. because there aren't enough gyms for afternoon practices," Leiker said.
Athletics have changed where "exceptional athletes have become the norm instead of the exception," he said.
Current facilities also are not sufficient to host sub-state tournaments.
"Those type of tournaments (basketball and wrestling) would bring a tremendous amount of revenue to the community," said Leiker.
The gymnasium and pools would be connected and could be built on the parcel where Marion City Pool currently is located.
"That location would be ideal with junior varsity and varsity games across the street from each other instead of across town," said Leiker.
The gym would be a full-size, regulation court. When the bleachers are moved, there would be two full-sized practice courts.
Around the top of the gym would be a walking track for patrons to use.
When people walk into the facility through a commons area, they will walk onto the top of the gymnasium walking track. The court will be below ground. The same excavated area used for the current pool would be the gymnasium floor, said Leiker.
Below the commons area would be locker rooms for basketball participants.
On the other side of the commons area will be an indoor swimming pool.
"Water aerobics will draw people to the community during the winter months," said Leiker.
School physical education programs, competition swimming, and regional events could be held at the facility. Physical therapy patients and senior citizen groups also could take advantage of the pool.
The facility would be open to the public when not used by the school district, said Leiker.
The pool would be handicap accessible and easy for older people to enter because there would be zero entry level which means people would walk down a gradual slope to enter the water.
It also will include a diving board and swimming lanes for competitions.
A glass wall will be located on either side of the commons area so people can see activities in the gymnasium or indoor pool.
An outdoor pool could be located and attached to the indoor pool.
With the pools being located close to each other, they could operate on one filtration and pump system, said Leiker, which would save a significant amount of money.
"Water could be pumped from one pool to the other for usage different times of the year," Leiker said. The water would have to be discarded once a year but it would save operating expenses by not having to fill the pools each time they open.
The indoor pool would be closed during summer months.
A set of two locker rooms will be included with each pool, for a total of six locker rooms.
"This makes it a prime choice for regional and sub-state tournaments," said Leiker, referring to the available locker space.
He then described how the buildings could fit on the current city-owned city near Thorp and Denver streets.
"The city has been very accommodating," said Leiker, and was assured sufficient parking spaces would be available.
By closing Thorp Street near the Denver Street intersection, and using the east side of East Park, ample parking would be available, said Leiker.
Proposed auditorium
The Marion-Florence school district currently uses Marion Municipal Auditorium 102 days out of 180.
The nearly 70-year-old facility does not provide sufficient acoustics for live performances.
Two types of buildings are being proposed. Fan- and rectangular-shaped buildings are being considered. The fan-shaped building would provide 567 seats, and patrons could sit closer to the stage. The rectangular-shaped building would provide 523 seats. The district would prefer the fan-shaped, Leiker said.
Since the auditorium would be used more than 100 days during school years, Leiker said the logical location would be on the Marion Middle School/High School campus.
Practice rooms would be included with a vocal music/multi-purpose room that could be available for public use, and makeup and changing rooms.
An area north of the high school gym could be utilized for additional parking.
"This facility could pull in cultural events for the community," said Leiker, and professional performances.
The old high school gymnasium would not go to waste. It could be used for physical education classes.
Seeking public input
Leiker explained this project was in the planning stage and they want input from Marion-Florence and area residents.
Public meetings will be held after the first of the year with artist renditions of the facilities available at that time.
Leiker pointed out that this would be a benefit for all of the school district — including Florence.
When Marion participated in regional wrestling, families stayed 30 miles from the tournament site, said Leiker.
"If we were to host a tournament like that, every motel and bed and breakfast in the area would be full," said Leiker. He also said the success of the school district was attributed to the contributions made by Florence students.
He asked patrons to keep "an open mind" about the possibilities.
Leiker said if the bond issue fails in the April 4 election, it doesn't mean taxes will decrease.
"Other taxing entities may increase their taxes," said Leiker, and the school district still won't have the facilities.
"Marion-Florence USD 408 is the second-lowest taxing school district in the county," Leiker said. Centre USD 397 is the lowest.
If voters pass the bond issue, construction would begin in the summer of 2006, and be completed by the fall of 2007.
