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Old settler rebuilds memories of Marion

Sports reporter

Greg Tice has lived in Wichita for nearly 15 years.

However, he hasn't forgotten where he came from.

A 1988 graduate of Marion High School, Tice is frequently back in Marion because of his job.

In the spring of 2005, Tice and his architecture firm, Spangenberg/Phillips of Wichita, were chosen by Marion-Florence USD 408 to design its new performing arts center and gymnasium/indoor pool buildings.

"It will always be the highlight of my career," Tice said. "Most people don't get an opportunity to come back to their hometown and do projects like this."

Family man

While Tice was in his final year of architecture at the University of Kansas in 1993 he wed his high school sweetheart, Dena Connell.

The couple has three children, Erin 13, Connor 10, and Ian five. The Tices live in Wichita and between his partnership at the firm, and Deena's teaching job in Colwich, things are going just fine for the family.

But the couple still fondly remembers their days in Marion.

"My wife and I love Marion," Greg said. "It will always be home and a big part of our lives. There aren't a lot of towns like it."

Somewhat isolated, but close enough to a big city, Greg says Marion is in the perfect location.

"We haven't been able to find anything like it near Wichita," he said.

He hopes residents realize he is someone involved in the project who understands the community and has good feelings for it.

"It means as much to me as it does to them," Greg said.

Although he has led projects in Marion including the Central National Bank renovation and various houses in town, part of this project means a great deal to him.

When Greg was in high school, he was in a musical with Deena.

He remembered the sound coming out of his mic in the city building was not up to par, and although he admitted not being the best singer in the world, he knew that wasn't the only reason.

"I always wanted to come back and make a new sound system," he said.

And now, that opportunity is here.

The projects

When USD 408 residents approved the new projects nearly 2-1 in a school bond election, Tice was ecstatic.

It has been nearly a year-and-a half and the projects are past the halfway point.

The performing arts center located next to Marion Middle School on South Lincoln Street, should be done by Nov. 17.

The pool and gymnasium building on Thorp Street is set to open in April of next year.

Tice did acknowledge the completion dates are later than the original thinking in the spring of 2005, but since construction has begub, there have been no setbacks.

"I really wanted to have the project done in the fall of this year," Greg said.

There were some delays, but he said in the end it will be worth the wait.

'To get it right is the best way to do it," Greg said. "I know it can be frustrating, but people need to realize we are doing it the right way."

According to Tice, no other district in the state will have facilities quite like these.

In the end the district will have a 550-seat performaing arts center right next to the middle and high schools, an indoor, six-lane pool, and a top-loading gymnasium with an indoor track.

With the performing arts center to be used for more than school plays, the track to be open at times for residents, and the pool to be year-round, Greg is excited for the multi-use buildings.

"They are not just school buildings, but community buildings," he said. "They are going to be really fantastic. We are not just creating buildings, but creating memories."

Sub

So, as the performing arts center hits the final stretch, and the pool and gymnasium continue to progress, Tice is becoming more anxious to see the final project.

He is excited for them from a business standpoint, but even more so from an old settler's viewpoint.

When it was announced earlier this month Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved nearly $330,000 in funds for a storm shelter in the gymnasium, Tice breathed a sigh of relief.

On top of state-of-the-art buildings, he wanted them to be safe as well.

"[Superintendent] Lee Leiker did a great job on that," Greg said of the FEMA grant.

While this project is shaping up to be what Greg thinks will be a huge benefit to the community, he fondly remembers a sign in the current gymnasium that reads: "Remember who you are."

In 1988 when he was playing basketball in the gym it seemed corny.

Now, it means a lot to him, and he wants the new gym to create the same memories for today's players, and anyone else who chooses to use it.

"I've never forgotten who I was, and where I came from," he said.

These buildings continue to convey that message.

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