Center Grove Schools has said OK to a $45 million project that will transform the district’s high school, adding an Olympic-sized swimming pool and new and expanded classrooms for the next generation of students.
With the approval, the board will move forward with the process, with construction slated to begin in the spring. The district has not said when the work will be complete.
The $45 million in bonds will be paid back by the district over the next 20 years and will not cause an increase in property taxes, as Center Grove has paid back some of its other outstanding bond debt. Taxes could go down, however, if this or other projects weren’t added.
About 10 people spoke at the school board meeting on Thursday night in support of the project. The comments ranged from the need for new classrooms and improved learning environments to the current inconveniences and even danger of a smaller and more crowded pool. High School Swimming Coach Jim Todd discussed the importance of the new pool for not only athletes, but for the student body as a whole.
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"Swimming is the only class that could prevent you from dying," Todd said. "With this new facility I hope and pray we can teach every single kid before kindergarten how to swim. With competitive swimming, very few people make it to the Olympics, but every single kid who has come out of our program becomes a stronger and safer swimmer. I believe this facility is not only genius for the whole project but one of the strongest things we have ever done."
High school art teacher Rick Jones also underscored the significance for the art program, which will have new classrooms in the space of the current pool.
Along with the new swimming facility, the high school will renovate and add for a total of 131 classrooms in the building. The project will also improve security for students during the school day and during school events. Superintendent Richard Arkanoff said the project is key in the district’s history, not only for the improvement of facilities, but for the safety of students.
"We believe the package is the best for our students," Arkanoff said. "Improving safety is one of the most important aspects of the project. Improving learning spaces and upgrading the pool space is not only a safety addition, but helps improve the program."
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Center Grove High School renovation, expansion project
Cost: $45 million.
Features: Add an Olympic sized swimming pool with greater deck space and a zero-depth entry therapy pool, new classrooms in the space of the current pool, expand and remodel current classrooms to include LED lighting and flexible furniture. The project will also add one-way visibility security screening and additional security barriers for enhanced safety.
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