Group Hears Options For Old North Webster Elementary
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - Lakeland Youth Center and Kosciusko Community YMCA representatives believe they can work cooperatively in the elementary school.
The school, which will close at the end of December when students move to a new facility, is being considered as community space.
In addition to LYC and the YMCA, interested parties include the North Webster Day Care/Latchkey Program and the North Webster Tippecanoe Township Library.
Additionally, a portion of the facility may be used by the Freedom Academy and Wawasee Schools as an alternative school.
The North Webster Town Council also expressed a strong interest in moving town offices there.
The organizations want the "new" portion of the building, according to Bob Murphy of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill.
Representatives met Monday to tour the facility and take another look at their spaces. MSKTD architect Brent Doctor was on hand to get a feel for everyone's wishes.
A commons area will be built to the south, Murphy said, once the old section of the building is removed.
The entryway will lead to town offices or the gymnasium. The library will have a separate entrance.
Currently occupying a 1,200-square-foot space, the library has earmarked more than 7,500 square feet.
Librarian Helen Leinbach is confident the space can be filled with materials and resources.
Brian Rensberger of LYC and Tom Garland, YMCA director, discussed their plans to cooperate.
The LYC sponsors activities for school-age children.
The YMCA has classes for people of every age.
"We're interested in the cafeteria space," Garland said, "for a weight-lifting program, aerobics and yoga. We can even use the kitchen for cooking classes."
Garland said the Y will be careful not to infringe on LYC's current programming.
During past organizational meetings regarding the school and at town council meetings, the North Webster Post Office's relocation was discussed.
Plans to move into the old hotel have been canceled and Murphy said the USPO has put a "freeze" on all spending.
Murphy said he anticipated the post office will move downtown - eventually. Where the office will locate is unknown.
"We're optimistic we can have a senior center, too," Murphy said. The facility would be an addition to the school.
Grant money would be available for a senior center and some of it could be used to rehabilitate some utilities in the elementary school.
New heating and air conditioning systems will have to be installed as the current heating is in the old section of the building.
A planning grant was secured to study using the school for a community center, but purchase and rehabilitation money will have to come from fund-raising and from increasing the tax levy.
The International Palace of Sports Foundation has dedicated an initial $250,000 for the first year of operation and $50,000 per year for the next decade.
"I have no idea what the school board wants," Murphy said. "I would like to see them offer it to the community for $100. But there are three area schools - Syracuse, Milford and North Webster - and the purchase price would go to all three districts."
Murphy said it will probably be June 2002 before any portion of the building is used, with the remainder ready for occupancy in the winter. [[In-content Ad]]
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NORTH WEBSTER - Lakeland Youth Center and Kosciusko Community YMCA representatives believe they can work cooperatively in the elementary school.
The school, which will close at the end of December when students move to a new facility, is being considered as community space.
In addition to LYC and the YMCA, interested parties include the North Webster Day Care/Latchkey Program and the North Webster Tippecanoe Township Library.
Additionally, a portion of the facility may be used by the Freedom Academy and Wawasee Schools as an alternative school.
The North Webster Town Council also expressed a strong interest in moving town offices there.
The organizations want the "new" portion of the building, according to Bob Murphy of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill.
Representatives met Monday to tour the facility and take another look at their spaces. MSKTD architect Brent Doctor was on hand to get a feel for everyone's wishes.
A commons area will be built to the south, Murphy said, once the old section of the building is removed.
The entryway will lead to town offices or the gymnasium. The library will have a separate entrance.
Currently occupying a 1,200-square-foot space, the library has earmarked more than 7,500 square feet.
Librarian Helen Leinbach is confident the space can be filled with materials and resources.
Brian Rensberger of LYC and Tom Garland, YMCA director, discussed their plans to cooperate.
The LYC sponsors activities for school-age children.
The YMCA has classes for people of every age.
"We're interested in the cafeteria space," Garland said, "for a weight-lifting program, aerobics and yoga. We can even use the kitchen for cooking classes."
Garland said the Y will be careful not to infringe on LYC's current programming.
During past organizational meetings regarding the school and at town council meetings, the North Webster Post Office's relocation was discussed.
Plans to move into the old hotel have been canceled and Murphy said the USPO has put a "freeze" on all spending.
Murphy said he anticipated the post office will move downtown - eventually. Where the office will locate is unknown.
"We're optimistic we can have a senior center, too," Murphy said. The facility would be an addition to the school.
Grant money would be available for a senior center and some of it could be used to rehabilitate some utilities in the elementary school.
New heating and air conditioning systems will have to be installed as the current heating is in the old section of the building.
A planning grant was secured to study using the school for a community center, but purchase and rehabilitation money will have to come from fund-raising and from increasing the tax levy.
The International Palace of Sports Foundation has dedicated an initial $250,000 for the first year of operation and $50,000 per year for the next decade.
"I have no idea what the school board wants," Murphy said. "I would like to see them offer it to the community for $100. But there are three area schools - Syracuse, Milford and North Webster - and the purchase price would go to all three districts."
Murphy said it will probably be June 2002 before any portion of the building is used, with the remainder ready for occupancy in the winter. [[In-content Ad]]