(Lake Park)– The walls are set to come tumblin’ down at the old elementary school in Harris.
The Harris-Lake Park school district has not heard from any parties interested in purchasing the building now that all 13 grade levels have been consolidated in Lake Park and the building is sitting empty. The school board will open bids on its destruction this Thursday. The next question the board has to answer is whether to save the old gymnasium or demolish it with the rest of the structure.
The school board held a hearing on the matter Monday to gauge public opinion, but fewer than 20 people showed up and only one voiced an interest in keeping the gym open. School board member Dan Breuker said the entire board would like to keep the gym open but isn’t sure if it’s feasible. A new heating system would cost 10-thousand dollars; estimated utilities per year would be five thousand; and there’s no estimate on yearly maintenance, mowing and snow removal on the property.
Superintendent Tim Christiansen says the only way he would recommend keeping the gymnasium is if groups like the Harris City Council, Harris Economic Development Group and Youth Athletic Association would commit funds to help pay for its yearly upkeep. The Harris City Council has been noncommittal so far. The school board will also be interested in selling the gym to another party if one comes forward.
Bids will be received by the Harris-Lake Park school board through Thursday morning on four options: demolition of the school building and foyer by December 2005 or December 2006; or demolition of the school, foyer and gym by December 2005 or December 2006.
The cost of the bids and public input prior to a special school board meeting at 12:15 p.m. Thursday will help the school board make its final decision this week.
The property would be sold to the highest bidder after demolition.
