GCSD to build new track, science labs
By Kelsie Hoitomt
GLENWOOD CITY — The Glenwood City Board of Education announced earlier this winter that they would be using a $1 million loan from Hiawatha National Bank for the construction of a new track that will be football ready, new science labs and a new road that will connect the elementary to the high school.
The Board recently approved a resolution authorizing the issuance and awarding the sale of $995,000 in general obligation refunding bonds. These bonds will be used to pay back the loan that was borrowed.
Due to the school district obtaining a loan versus doing a referendum, this project will not cause an increase to taxpayers.
Weather permitting, the project could begin as soon as May with the reconstruction of the track and the hauling of dirt. Inside the track will be a “football ready” field with a water system, goal posts and a crowned field.
Meanwhile inside of the school, the science lab construction will start immediately after school is let out for the summer. This project not only revamps the science labs, but it will officially remove the remaining asbestos left in the school.
There was a special meeting held on Monday, March 4 where the Board heard a presentation by Dennis Blau, a Landscape Architect for Cedar Corporation. Blau showed the Board two option for where sand and soil can be removed from the property to construct the track.
The Board made a motion to approve the first option with the option to choose option 2 down the line if needed. Option one will remove two feet of soil in the area behind the tennis court and tree line. This option will not disturb the current football field, where as option two took out the football field and made it so the track with a football ready field had to be finished immediately.
The updated track that is football field ready and it has newly constructed pole vault, long jump, triple jump and discus areas as well.
The blue print for the new road shows that it will run from the elementary area, behind the bus garage, past the playground and connect to the high school. The road will not interfere with the current playground area. The area where students are allowed will be surrounded with fences, which will line the roadway as well.
Above is the layout of the remodeled science rooms with the updated biology and chemistry laboratories. There is added desks and lab tables for students along with additional storage for chemicals.
