Linn‑Mar board approves design phase and financing steps for indoor activity center

Linn‑Mar Community School District board members voted unanimously to move the proposed indoor activity center expansion and renovation into detailed design and to secure construction financing through a combination of SAVE (one‑cent sales tax) funds and PPEL notes.

The decision follows public comment from parents, coaches and students who said current indoor athletic space and training areas are overcrowded. “Girls deserve this new wrestling room,” said Izzy Watts, a freshman at Linn‑Mar High School who described tight practice schedules and shared weight‑room time that limits girls’ training. Parent Erin Watts, a former district teacher and union president, told the board that the community has already approved funding that makes the project possible and urged trustees to approve the next steps.

Board supporters said the move is to advance planning, engineering and financing choices — not to begin construction immediately. “The motion we voted on authorizes moving forward with the design phase and securing financing as discussed, using a combination of SAVE funds and PPEL notes, and to work with the district’s municipal advisers and bond counsel,” a board member said before the roll call. The board emphasized that further engineering, value engineering and public feedback will happen before any final construction commitment.

Why it matters: Trustees and district staff said the existing high‑school locker rooms and weight rooms date to the 1980s and are currently used by high‑school teams, middle‑school teams and K–8 clubs. Board members and public commenters described late evening practices and limited court time for youth sports as reasons to add dedicated indoor space, a larger weight room and a wrestling room for girls.

Key details from the board discussion: - Financing options: District advisers presented two primary options — use SAVE funds alone or combine SAVE with PPEL notes. PPEL notes are property‑tax‑backed borrowing typically limited by voter approval terms and described in the meeting as a 10‑year maximum for the PPEL portion. A district official noted that a SAVE+PPEL combination likely yields a lower interest rate and lower total interest costs over time. - Cost drivers: Trustees and staff said major cost drivers include the long roof span for a clear, column‑free field house (greater structural steel), costs associated with renovating existing plumbing and electrical systems, and higher material and labor prices compared with projects built several years ago. The board referenced expected savings of roughly $10 million when comparing financing approaches over the life of the borrowing, while noting exact figures and final project scope will be developed during design and engineering. - Project scope and timeline: The board framed the vote as authorization to proceed to the design phase, secure financing terms, and then return to the board with detailed engineered plans and construction bids before making a final construction decision. - Community amenities and concerns: Trustees acknowledged requests from the public for sufficient concessions, parking accommodations and a storm shelter within the new design. Board members said they will consider parking impacts (including use of nearby lots) and concessions capacity as the design evolves.

Public engagement and context: The district held three “Lion Learning on the Road” sessions about the project; the board reported the final session drew roughly 50 attendees. Several speakers at the meeting — including parents, former employees and long‑time residents — described multi‑generational ties to the district and urged the board to proceed.

Vote and next steps: The motion to proceed with design and secure financing was moved and seconded and passed unanimously on roll call. Trustees directed staff to continue design work, pursue financing with municipal advisers and bond counsel, and return with detailed plans and cost estimates for further board action.

The board also reiterated that the design and financing steps do not raise property taxes beyond current levies and that PPEL and SAVE funding rules limit how the district may use those funds. District staff said more detailed cost estimates and potential value‑engineering options would be available after the next phase of engineering and during the public comment period on the final plans.

Ending: The board’s approval begins a multi‑month design and engineering process intended to produce a final scope, budget and schedule for public review before the district commits to construction.