Scotland school officials mull second gym for community

Talk about it

SCOTLAND — Scotland School District Superintendent Damon Alvey said he and the school board are making progress on plans to build a full-size auxiliary gym.

Alvey presented initial plans for the project to the school board Nov. 19 and estimated the cost of the project to be around $900,000.

He said the school’s current gym — the only gym in the city of Scotland — is overflowing with activities because it is being used for gym classes, sporting events, band concerts, public events and also as a work-out facility for the public.

The gym is approximately 25 years old, but Alvey said it is “actually in really exceptional shape” and had its floor redone two years ago.

The school also rents out its gym for public events and weddings.

Alvey said he hopes adding an auxiliary gym onto or near the school would make scheduling school activities and hosting events simpler while providing the public with greater access to the school’s facilities.

A public meeting to discuss the project is being planned, and Alvey hopes a date for the meeting will be set at the next school board meeting Jan. 10.

“I think people are supportive of the idea, but with the economy I think people are a little worried,” Alvey said. “If there’s a tax increase coming out of their pocket, they’re going to want to know exactly where that’s going.”

Alvey said he is searching for grants that could help fund the project, and he hopes the community will provide support to make the project feasible.

Tags: our towns, news, updates, scotland, gym