April 19, 2024

Colfax-Mingo school asking to acquire land

By Dustin Teays

A proposed land acquisition from the City of Colfax to the school district could possibly lead to stadium improvements in the future. (Jamee A)

To expand the school’s facilities, the district is requesting land near the current building to be gifted to the school from the city. Colfax-Mingo Superintendent Erik Anderson went before the Colfax City Council during its workshop session Aug. 7 to explain the need for the land for improvements and potentially future growth.

“One of our things to look at when we do that is, is it happening on our land or somewhere else and our first choice is if we can stay kind of on site at the high school for some of our upgrades,” Anderson said.

The council was given a packet that provided details such as 15-year plan that outlined what the school wanted to propose as upgrades and add-ons to the school. The school plans on having a special election Sept. 10 to address their revenue purpose statement which would better help them fund the project.

“That revenue purpose statement that we have in September is very important for our school district for us to be able to keep continuing to upgrade our facilities,” Anderson said. “That special election is going to allow us to be able to move forward on this project.”

Three main improvements are outlined by the school in the packet including upgrading the weight room and wrestling room, adding a larger competition gym and either
completing stadium improvements or constructing a new stadium in a different location. The final point is one of the reasons the district would need additional land.

We have kids right now practicing in an elementary gym. ... That concept is what DLR brought us knowing that that’s outside of the school’s boundaries but what it is within is the cities boundaries,” Anderson said.

This is just the beginning of what could be major project for the school district to undergo but it would bring benefits well into the future for the kids who go there and the town if the council and school district are able to reach an agreement and if all the funding pieces fall together for the school.

“I do think that these facilities we are wanting to create can have a dual purpose for community use, as well,” Anderson said.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com