July 17, 2008
Walkers squeezed into latest fieldhouse plan
by Luke Klink
The Medford Area School Board’s fieldhouse committee is getting closer to making a recommendation on a proposed new air conditioned fieldhouse and swimming pool addition to the high school that architects currently project will cost $11.2 million.
The committee balked at building a larger fieldhouse to accommodate an oval track that could remain open to community use even when sports practices are being held. Its solution — which saves $1 million in additional construction costs — was to devise a way for pedestrians to walk along the rectangular outer walls inside the structure.
Architects from HSR Associates of La Crosse presented the committee with an “Option C” floor plan Tuesday. The new plan, which melds two previous floor plan proposals and the committee’s concerns expressed at a meeting last month, shows a new 3-court fieldhouse added to the west side of Medford Area Senior High and a new 6-lane swimming pool with a diving well added to the southwest corner of the high school. Parking lost due to the new construction would be replaced by a new parking lot in the grassy area southeast of the school.
Architects also proposed a “community fitness” room where the current swimming pool is located, but that new construction would add $605,000 to the project and concerned committee members. The “Option C” floorplan shows new mechanical/electrical, gym storage and locker space added to the far west end of the addition, but committee members asked for a new design concept showing how the building and costs would change if that new construction was moved into the proposed “community fitness” room.
Kim Poncek, who was among community members who toured other area schools last year as the grassroots fieldhouse construction effort sprouted, was concerned if community use was being ignored in the latest proposal. She asked how the community could use the indoor track for walking or jogging during athletic practices when it crosses over two of the three courts.
“You have to think of the community because they are the ones you are asking to support this. If this is never open for the community, what are they going to get out of it?” Poncek said.
Committee member Mark Hoffman said the intent of the new construction was to build a facility open to school and community use at the same time. He also realized the added expense of building a larger fieldhouse just to accommodate community walkers and joggers.
“Then you are talking going back to four courts,” committee member Bill Grunewald said.
The school board has voted to hold a referendum to let voters decide the fate of the fieldhouse and swimming pool addition, currently measuring 62,475 square feet in floor space. Construction proponents had originally targeted a September primary referendum, but as planning for the vote continues that date is no longer a possibility without holding special meetings to get it done, according to school district administrator Steve Russ.
Committee member Jeff Lange said property owners want to know what construction would do to their taxes.
The first two building design proposals from HSR showed a four court fieldhouse concept ringed by a track. Scaling back the project to the current “Option C” allowed for additional cost savings.
Russ said more exact construction costs would become available when Huotari Construction has an architectural plan.
“You are going to accomplish one function for $1 million? That doesn’t make any sense,” Hoffman said. “Our goal is to meet the needs with the lowest possible expense, otherwise we don’t have a chance of making this fly.”
Poncek was concerned when the community would have access to the fieldhouse, especially when there are a total of six boys and girls basketball teams who need to schedule practices. There would still be an available gymnasium inside Raider Hall.
“When is the public going to walk or jog, or is it going to be booked all the time?” Poncek said.
The committee directed architects from HSR Associates of La Crosse to come up with an “Option D” floor plan based on comments made during the meeting. It is likely going to be presented at the committee’s next meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. August 5 in the high school cafeteria.
