USD 408 building project is moving forward years ago
Sports reporter
It's been almost a year since Marion-Florence USD 408 passed a bond issue to build an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, and auditorium. To the naked eye, it looks as if much hasn't happened since.
But dig deeper, no pun intended, according to Marion-Florence 408 superintendent Lee Leiker, and it's clear the project is heading in the right direction.
Leiker acknowledged there have been some delays, but he said they will be well worth it.
"The [school] board simply did not give in," he said. "It's still as they said it would be, but it has been more time than we hoped."
Leiker explained the board had goals for the project from the beginning, and would rather not do the project at all than give in to changes.
The board would not budge on plans for the 550-seat auditorium with a music room, a top-loading gym, a year-round pool, and walking track.
"The board stuck to its word," Leiker said, "and I think we will have two beautiful buildings."
When?
One of the main concerns of the community is the timing of the project. While the construction began four to six months later than planned, Leiker said the auditorium completion won't be delayed by long.
That's because Hutton Construction of Wichita was able to bid out the gym/pool combo and auditorium separately to sub-contractors to find the best price. It also allows for construction of both at the same time.
The auditorium should be completed in November according to officials with Hutton Construction.
The original plan was for it to be finished in September or October of this year, and quicker-than-expected construction will keep it from dragging on into 2008.
That wasn't always the case.
Although the auditorium is being built in its original destination, between the current gym and middle school, a change called to move the building northwest toward the Hill School because of a water main on the grounds.
However, it was discovered gas mains for all the campus buildings would have to be moved in order for the auditorium to be moved northwest, and so it was back to the original plans.
The water main would have to be moved before the construction could begin.
Or would it?
Unknown to the city, a new water main had been put in place out of the way. However, the old main was still on the city blueprint. The old main was then torn out, and construction began.
Plans call for the main entrance of the auditorium to face east, but the building will be set back a little farther than the current gymnasium.
Parking will not be reduced, and although the lot is not finalized, some parking spots may be added.
Pool/gym
The building that will house both the pool and gym will not being completed until approximately March 2008, but it's possible it could be done before the end of the 2007-08 basketball season.
"I would love to see a few games played there next season," Leiker said.
If not, the opening game would be the first of the 2008-09 season.
Demolition of the current pool began Tuesday, and construction for the new one should start the first week in April.
Some community members thought demolition had already began as city workers had been on the property this past week, but Leiker said there was a different explanation.
"The city was digging for a time capsule it was told was there," he said.
The capsule was not found, but Leiker said they will continue to look during demolition.
Although plans have not been finalized, they should be within the week. The plans will include parking and any finishing touches on the building, including an area for a wrestling room and community storm-shelter.
According to Leiker, no plans of extending a parking lot to East Park or vacating Thorp street are in the works. However, during construction plans could call for an addition to the current lot.
Rumors
Like most things, some rumors have circulated regarding the project.
One that Leiker cleared up quickly is that the city will be without a pool for two summers.
He said it will be ready for the 2008 summer swim program, and from the beginning the construction called for one summer without a pool.
"We will be so deep into construction by the time the pool would have been ready to open there is no way we could have had one this year," he said.
Others had wondered if the indoor track would not be open to the public, but Leiker squashed that rumor as well. Although hours have not been set, it will be open to the public.
"We want to make it available to the community as much as possible," he said.
Leiker understands it is hard to convey information to everyone interested in what is going on, but wants to assure the public from the moment the bond passed, the school and the city have been working tirelessly to make this project the best it can be.
"The delay is frustrating to everyone," he said, "but to know money is being maximized is a benefit."
In the end he believes waiting to fine tune the project will be worth it.
"We are talking about building that will be here for 70-plus years," he said. "The state architect was very complimentary, and you don't get that very often."
Well worth it
Although it may seem like nothing was happening, the time spent planning may prove to be the most important in the entire project.
Both the board and the architect have been back and forth since last spring, trying to finalize a project that will pretty much use every cent of the allotted $ 8 million.
"The board stuck to its guns, and it was time well spent," Leiker said.
By the time the project is finished and completed with the ideas and goals the board had in mind, Leiker thinks a few months of delay will be almost forgotten.
For more information or questions about the project stop by the district office at 101 North Thorp, Marion, call (620) 382-2117. Look for updates on the project until it is completed in the Marion County Record provided by Leiker.
