FILLMORE TWP. -- A potential new extracurricular facility for Hamilton Community Schools will enter the planning phase after a vote by the district's school board Monday.
In the fall, the board requested Superintendent Brad Lusk explore the possibility of a new building. He presented options to the board during a workshop in December.
On Monday, Jan. 13, the HCS Board of Education voted unanimously to advance the project to a planning phase.
Although the vote doesn't approve construction or commit any funding, it allows Lusk to work with contractors to create a clearer vision for the project. The superintendent told The Sentinel the planning phase will begin soon and could take around six months.
The goal of a new facility would be to serve a variety of extracurricular programs, both academic and athletic.
"The idea is to support a number of teams, clubs and activities that could use more resources and space in our district," Lusk said.
If the plan moves forward, the new building would be constructed at the current site of the old bus garage on 48th Street. The building is currently being used for storage.
There would be no financial ask of the community, Lusk said. Existing funds from the 2016 and 2023 bonds would be used. Lusk said the leftover funds come from smart fiscal planning and friendly bids from local companies, allowing projects to come in under budget.
"That has been awesome," Lusk said.
That doesn't mean previously promised bond projects are being replaced.
"Everything that was promised to the community has been or will be satisfied in the bond proposal," Lusk said.
Other extra funds have been used or earmarked to enhance elementary playgrounds, install generators at elementary buildings, or enhance the safety of road entrances to schools, Lusk said.
According to Lusk's presentation in December, the new building could have four batting and pitching cages -- two each for baseball and softball -- two golf simulators, an area for the robotics program, an office that could be rented by an outside facility, an area large enough for a tennis court, four pickleball courts, space for the cheerleading team to practice, and miscellaneous rooms for storage and other needs.
The rentable office space could be repurposed if there's not an entity interested.
Lusk noted plans currently on the district website are "rough sketches" and the final proposal could look much different. Once the planning phase is complete, it'll come back to the board for a vote.
Following the presentation in December, a survey was posted on the district website and social media to solicit feedback. Lusk said there were 75 responses.
The first question asked for support on a scale of 1-5, with five being full support for advancing the project to the planning phase. The average response was a 4.1, with 49 fives and just nine ones.
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On Monday, Lusk explained that he and representatives from Owens Ames Kimball, a construction firm, conducted an analysis of district facilities once it became clear there would be extra bond funds available.
"We're sitting pretty good," Lusk said. "Structurally, we're looking good from everything we can see, from boilers, to electrical, everything of that nature."