Residents press Colman-Egan board to pause east-parcel sports-complex purchase

Public commenters asked the Colman-Egan School District 50-5 board to slow or reconsider a recent land purchase for a proposed sports complex, saying the east parcel is too wet, sits in a partial flood plain and was not adequately discussed with the landowner or community.

"Is this the way we treat a woman who has already donated 15.5 acres?" said Mary Swinney Klingler, who said Pat Entringer had been approached about donating additional land but learned only later that a survey had been done and that 10 acres near the slough were being priced for purchase. Klingler disputed board statements made at previous meetings about site viability and per-acre cost.

Laura Zwart told the board it should "pump the brakes" and do more community engagement after she said a recent survey showed only 56% support. "When an issue like this doesn't have public support, it shouldn't happen," she said, and urged the board to "reconsider the purchase agreement of the east parcel." Several neighbors raised related concerns — flooding, liability and traffic — that they said had not been answered by staff.

The comments followed repeated public assertions that the north parcel was too wet and thus not viable. Residents challenged that characterization and asked the board to present a full site plan, explicit cost estimates and a clear explanation of funding sources before proceeding. The board chair said staff would follow up with answers and promised to contact people who raised specific questions.

Next steps: the board set a special meeting for Jan. 26 to interview construction-manager applicants; the board said hiring action will follow those interviews. The land-closing approved by the board at a prior meeting remains on the district record, but several residents urged the board to revisit the purchase in light of the questions raised.