Tarkio R-I School District is looking into acquiring Heartland Recreation Center on 13th Street from the Heartland Education Board. A feasibility study was conducted by Controlled Technology Solutions Group, and the school’s insurance company has also taken a look at the building. So far, things are starting to fall into place. The numbers for the project will be presented at a special board meeting March 5, 2018, at 6 p.m. to be held at the Rec Center. The public is invited to attend. From there, a decision will be made on whether to take on the building and project or not.
The CTS Group doing the study and the school’s insurance company both were pretty positive about the building. It is very structurally sound and though there will be improvements that need to be made, both companies expressed opinions that it would be a wise investment to make. Due to the additional revenue from the windfarms, the school has funds to use. Work to be done to the building would include a new roof, filling in the pool, remodeling of the locker rooms and bathrooms, adding an elevator to make the building ADA compliant, fixing the lighting and putting in a new HVAC system, and possibly putting in a new gym floor if needed.
If the district decides to move forward with the project, improvements to the building would begin immediately so that the building could be in use by the start of school in the fall. Having this building will create an additional gym for practices and/or games, as well as weight rooms and even classrooms. The district would also eventually open the building up for public use. Area residents would be able to work out, play sports, participate in dance classes, hold meetings, etc.
Be sure to attend the 6 p.m. meeting on March 5 to learn more, and stay tuned for updates in the Atchison County Mail.