An informational meeting on a proposed $3.5 million expansion project at the Algoma Middle & High School was held Wednesday night to detail the proposed plans, costs & timeline. The proposal is for two additions, one being a 10,755 square foot community center & gymnasium, the other is an 8,507 square foot tech center addition. Algoma Middle/High School Principal Nick Cochart talked about the reasoning for the tech center addition…[audio:http://wdor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Nick1.mp3|titles=Principal Nick Cochart]
Cochart discussed Wolf Tech, which is a student run business that has become a model program for schools throughout the state, & has built partnerships with many area businesses. The tech center expansion would be a chance to continue building on that success.
The new gymnasium would run east & west, with two smaller courts running north & south across the bigger court. The new gym is not a replacement for the current basketball court, it would be a practice space for a variety of sports, & would include a walking track. The community center includes a weight room & multi-purpose room that the community will have access to.
Principal Cochart explained that the expansion plan has been in the works for some time…[audio:http://wdor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Nick2.mp3|titles=Principal Nick Cochart]
While the cost for the expansion has been pegged at a number not to exceed $3.5 million, the plan is for $1.75 million to be raised through private donations, & for the school to match that number. The private fundraising is already well underway & Cochart said funds in the neighborhood of $1 million have already been raised. As for the school’s portion, Superintendent Ron Welch noted that the costs should not impact the local tax payers…[audio:http://wdor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ron1.mp3|titles=Superintendent Ron Welch]
The proposed timeline, if funds are raised, would have ground being broken the week of June 2nd & for completion of the project by December 19th. Click the images below to enlarge.
Proposed Plans
Community Center/Gym
Tech Center
