(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake school board Monday heard an update from a committee overseeing the design of the Sami Bedell Performing Arts Center.
The architect on the project reported they’re moving into the design/development phase now that the committee has pared the project so it comes close to fitting in the budget. The project is currently scheduled to go out for bids this coming spring with construction to start in late June, 2005. Completion is set for late in the summer of 2007.
The board also heard a proposal from committee member Sheryl Hall that would result in the formation of the “Lakes Performing Arts Foundation”. Hall told the board the collaborative would consist of the Sami Bedell Performing Arts Center, the Lauridson Theatre at the Lakes Art Center and Hancher Auditorium. The board took no action as to whether or not the school should get involved. School board members indicated they want more time to review the proposal, which will be back on the agenda for next month’s meeting.
The board was also updated on plans for an additional gymnasium at the high school. A committee working on designs for that project has recommended a two-station gym that would seat about 1,200 people. The board approved the committee’s concept. It will now go before user groups for further input.
The board also voted to apply for an Iowa Demonstration Grant in the amount of 172-thousand dollars that would allow for a grid iron structure above the stage of the Sami Bedell Center; they approved a request from the Indian Athletic Booster Club for 30-thousand dollars from the school over the next three years to assist in the club’s planned rennovations to the baseball field. The improvements total about 75-thousand dollars. The school’s portion of the funding will come from the district’s Physical Plant and Equipment Levy.
The Spirit Lake school board also approved a fundraising request from the high school peer helper group.
