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Bemidji to join Central Lakes Conference; board hears facility upgrades and near‑$80,000 scoreboard fundraising
Summary
Athletics director Ben Kivett told the board Bemidji will join the Central Lakes Conference next fall, explained MSHSL reclassification timing and a proposed multi‑year averaging change, and reported facility upgrades including a new pool scoreboard funded with nearly $80,000 in donations and locker room improvements at the RCC.
The Alexandria Public School District heard several athletics and facilities updates from activities director Ben Kivett, who said Bemidji will join the Central Lakes Conference (CLC) beginning next fall and described facility upgrades supported by community fundraising.
Kivett explained that the Minnesota State High School League reclassifies schools every two years based on October 1 enrollment submissions and that the league is considering using a two‑ or three‑year average to produce earlier classification numbers for scheduling. He said most Alexandria sports moved up a class this year (for example, boys soccer from 2A to 3A) and noted that earlier classification information would help athletic directors set schedules and plan events such as homecoming.
On facilities, Kivett highlighted a new pool scoreboard at the DMS pool that was privately fundraised by the swim program with alumni and support from the Cardinal Athletic Foundation; he said the campaign raised almost $80,000. He praised swim coach Mark Storehaug for his work engaging alumni donors and described the scoreboard as "almost like an HDTV on the wall." Kivett also reported locker room upgrades at the RCC for boys' and girls' hockey funded with Cardinal Athletic Foundation help, and completion of sewer and water service to the softball complex 'pinwheel' area that enables future restroom, concession and press‑box planning.
Board members asked about conference size caps and scheduling impacts; Kivett said conferences sometimes split cohorts or limit championship meet entries to manage increased participation. There were no formal votes tied to this discussion.
