The West Lafayette Community School Corporation board heard results of a community survey showing strong local support to preserve and reuse the Happy Hollow site and approved a construction contract to replace the facility’s failing chiller.

Mister Jones, who facilitated focus groups and surveys for the district, told the board more than 90% of respondents said they would be willing to pay for services at the site. Jones said community priorities included after-school programming with transportation, childcare, multipurpose athletic and event space and maintaining partnerships with the city parks and recreation department — specifically the pool and sledding hill. He recommended retaining current student activities where possible and developing a clear identity and multipurpose design to maximize both student value and rental revenue potential.

The board followed that consumer-research discussion with a separate facilities action. Missus Cronk presented bids for replacement of the Happy Hollow chiller and said Creative Engineering recommended Eberhardt Heating & Cooling’s low bid of $489,000, consistent with the district’s cost estimate. Cronk told the board the chiller replacement will be paid using proceeds from the district’s 2024 geobond issuance and that portable air-conditioning units would remain in place as an interim backup if the new equipment is delayed. She also said the contract includes a substantial-completion date at the end of summer and liquidated-damage language if the contractor fails to meet that date.

Board member George moved to approve the contract and Lawrence seconded. The board approved the chiller replacement 7–0.

Board members asked about maintenance, staffing and insurance if Happy Hollow’s community uses expand. Cronk said district property coverage is under a districtwide umbrella and outside groups that lease space must carry their own liability insurance. Administrators said they will follow up with detailed guidance on custodial responsibilities, expected user responsibilities and opportunities to lease spaces such as the former board meeting room and large group instruction (LGI) space once second-floor storage is relocated and rehabilitated.

Jones identified several underused areas — the second floor (not reliably usable in its current condition), leased rooms and former tennis courts — and suggested the district consider targeted rehabs rather than hyper-specialized buildouts to keep the site flexible and more easily rented.

The board’s approval gives the district authority to issue a notice to proceed and for the contractor to order equipment. Superintendent Sean Griner (identified in the meeting as doctor Griner) and facilities staff will oversee implementation and report timing updates to the board. The next operational steps include issuing the construction notice, monitoring equipment lead times, and communicating to user groups about interim cooling plans.

Votes at a glance
- Chiller replacement contract (Eberhardt Heating & Cooling): motion by George, second by Lawrence — passed 7–0.

What to watch next
Administrators said they will bring more detailed maintenance and leasing plans back to the board, and staff will continue to solicit possible corporate partners and explore marketing strategies to generate revenue for Happy Hollow.