Center Grove schools is planning a $45 million high school renovation and expansion project that would overhaul and add classrooms, build a larger pool and improve security.
The district has aims of building a new Olympic-size swimming pool to replace its current 25-meter pool, along with a zero-depth entry therapy pool for special education students. The proposal also includes the construction of new classrooms by remodeling the space where the current pool is located. Other classrooms may be expanded or, at the very least, remodeled to include LED lights, flexible furniture and new walls.
The school board has not yet voted on the plan, but approval could come as early as its November meeting.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Lancer + Beebe Architects of Indianapolis have prepared drawings showing where the new pool could be built and which classrooms would be remodeled. The proposal was unveiled at a school board meeting on Thursday night, which was also a required public hearing on the district’s plan to go into debt for the next 20 years on the project.
The school district said it can pay back the cost of the project without raising property tax rates, meaning the district doesn’t have to ask taxpayers and voters for permission to collect property taxes above the cap allowed by state law.
Voters and taxpayers could challenge the project, however. If opponents gather enough signatures, the project would be placed on the ballot in May 2019 as a referendum question. If it is approved by voters, that means the debt can be paid back outside the property tax caps, meaning that property tax bills could go up, the school district said.
The project includes:
Renovating classrooms, including with new cabinetry, furniture, paint, carpet, ceilings and lighting.
Close the current 25-meter pool and use the space for classroom or group space, and build a new 50-meter pool near the gym.
Add a zero-depth entry therapy pool
Increase the pool deck size and space for spectators and add locker rooms
Improve safety with security barriers, more video surveillance, emergency messaging, door monitors and security screening
The goals were to improve the safety and security of the 2,500-student high school on Morgantown Road, upgrade classrooms to improve academics and prepare the building for future enrollment growth, the school district said in the presentation.
The high school has been working to identify needs that should be met in the construction project, and those meetings have included all academic departments, plus cafeteria, custodial, administration, maintenance and parent groups.
In addition to building a new pool, the project would change the dynamic of spectators and competitors on the pool deck. The new pool would have a separate entry for spectators and participants. It would also increase deck space and have improved locker room sightlines so teachers can better supervise students.
The idea of a new, larger pool first surfaced at Center Grove more than three years ago.
In 2015, parents told school officials in a community forum that a new or larger pool is needed to make room for swim teams to practice and to have competitions. Other schools use a 50-meter pool, and Center Grove teams often practice past 9 p.m. because that is needed to get each team time in the 25-yard pool, families said.
At one point, the district explored building a new pool when it built the activities center.
“We wanted to highlight things we feel are the most important, items that will improve safety and security in the building and campus, and improve learning spaces with new cabinetry, furniture, paint, carpeting, ceilings, and lighting,” Center Grove High School Principal Jeffry Henderson said. “We will upgrade the pool, relocate the pool, expand it from 25 meters to 50 meters, and add a zero-entry therapy pool for (students with) special needs.”
At Thursday’s meeting, one attendee questioned if the bulk of the project would be focused on the pool with the other additions as footnotes. Board Member Jack Russell noted the time that has passed since certain renovations were completed.
“We still have classrooms that were here when my sister graduated in 1961,” Russell said. “These will finally be dealt with. There are a lot of things in the project that are long overdue. We have had a history of Band-aid-ing—that doesn’t work. We have to go into the project and bring it up to date. There are a lot of issues with safety and security, things that will have to be done and will be a part of this project.”
The proposal calls for “additional security barriers to restrict building circulation,” and more one-way security screening and video surveillance, according to a presentation on the project.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Estimated costs
Center Grove is proposing a $45 million high school construction project. Here is a breakdown of the estimated costs.
Site work: $895,590
New construction: $16,689,591
Renovation: $15,927,746
Construction contingency funds: $984,404
Architect fees, construction management, legal, financing, consultants and builders risk insurance: $8,480,753
Loose furnishings and owner’s contingency: $ $2,021,916
[sc:pullout-text-end]
