School considers new facilities
Staff reporter
What if a taxpayer in the Marion-Florence school district was told a new gymnasium, indoor-outdoor swimming pool, and auditorium could be built in Marion, without raising his taxes?
That's exactly what could happen if voters approve a bond issue in the April elections, Lee Leiker, superintendent of Marion USD 408, told Marion Kiwanis Club members Monday.
A $3.5 million bond issue that funded the new Marion Middle School and an addition at Marion Elementary School soon will be paid off, Leiker said, so the board of education is looking at future needs of the district.
"We're at the beginning stages," Leiker said. "The board has not formally approved the projects."
The best part of the plan, Leiker said, was the proposed project for the three facilities would not increase the mill levy. So, taxpayers could provide these much-needed facilities and not pay extra taxes.
Marion Mayor Martin Tice also informed Marion City Commission Monday of the school's plans.
Use of existing space
Leiker said consideration is being given to the lot where the city pool currently is located at Thorp and Lawrence streets, south of Marion Elementary School.
According to city officials, the area is 325x280 feet which would be large enough for a competition-size gymnasium and indoor-outdoor swimming pool, he said.
The city's pool was built in 1957, and needs to be replaced, said Marty Fredrickson, city street superintendent.
Tice added the pool is not compliant with the American Disabilities Act.
By building the pool and gymnasium together in one complex, some aspects of the facility could be shared, Tice said. Locker rooms used for the gym could also be used for changing rooms in the pool.
Parking space could be provided by using part of East Park, west of the swimming pool.
In addition to the gym and pool, Leiker said the board is considering an auditorium between Marion Middle School and the high school gymnasium.
The proposed auditorium would be connected to the middle school and could seat 500-600 people and be adequate for professional productions and performances.
"Currently the district uses the city's auditorium," said Leiker. The district used the city's auditorium last year 107 out of 180 school days.
Keith Collett, school board and Kiwanis member, said costs to renovate the city auditorium could be as much as a new facility.
Inadequate space limits the use of the building, said Collett. Expansion would have to be an addition of a second level because there is no room to expand on ground level.
"The city doesn't want to spend money on it because it doesn't use it," said Collett. "The school can't spend money on it because it doesn't own it."
Funding and uses
Cost estimates at this time are not known but 32 percent of the funds will be provided by the state.
The facilities must be owned by the school district which would not make it feasible for it to be a joint project between the school district and Marion Advancement Campaign's community center/movie theatre project.
The city would contribute to the project by leasing the pool from the school district. When the bond is paid, one option could be for the city to purchase the pool from the school district, said Leiker.
David Mayfield, city administrator, told the commission currently the city's pool budget was $40,000 with $12,000 in revenue.
"The board has talked about including walking area around the upper level of the gymnasium," said Leiker. A fitness center and areas for REC activities also are being considered.
"There are four teams practicing in three gyms (Marion High School, Marion Elementary School, and Florence)," Leiker said. "That's 80-plus athletes sharing one gym at the same time."
The competition-size gymnasium could accommodate any level of play with bleachers pulled out for spectators. The floor also would serve well for practice with the bleachers pushed back.
He sees this project as a benefit to all students and families in the school district — Marion and Florence alike.
"Our board wants to provide adequate facilities for the school district and communities," said Leiker.
Halstead recently approved a $10 million project for a new gymnasium, and Hesston $14 million for improvements.
Transportation expenses to take Marion County Special Education Cooperative students to swim once a week at El Dorado also could be eliminated with an indoor pool facility. Year-round activities could be provided to residents in and around the school district.
Currently high school and middle school students share one room for all music classes. The auditorium could provide practice labs and larger areas for bands and musical groups.
Process
The board will make a decision at Monday's school board meeting whether to proceed with the project when more information is collected regarding specifications of the buildings and costs.
Information will be provided to the public prior to the issue being placed on the April 2006 ballot.
"This is a rare opportunity to do this project without increasing the tax base," said Leiker.
If the board approves proceeding with the project, and voters approve the bond issue, construction could begin in late summer or early fall of 2006.
"The same tax rate could be maintained with the maximum use of money," said Leiker.
Opportunity for communities
Leiker sees this as an economic development opportunity for the school district and the communities.
In addition to accommodating school and community needs, the facility also could host numerous regional and district events.
With adequate gymnasium facilities, Marion could host regional wrestling, sub-state volleyball and/or basketball, and regional music festival.
These events bring people to the area for a day or a weekend. Spectators could contribute to city and county sales taxes, and support local merchants.
"We can host these events over and over again if we do a good job," Leiker said.
When new residents consider moving to an area, they look at schools, hospital, and community amenities, said Leiker. It also could keep some families in Marion.
"Our focus is on education," said Leiker, "but people are drawn to these types of events."
More information will be made available to the public as it is obtained by the school board and district.
"This is a win-win situation for all of us," he said.
