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Washington Evening Journal
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Former IW campus is changing
Some of the first very visible signs of change should arrive shortly at the former IW central campus now owned by MPCSD
MT. PLEASANT — Former Iowa Wesleyan University Campus will begin to take on a different look which aptly identifies the new owners of the property as the Mt. Pleasant Community School District Board approved a bid for new signage on the campus at this month’s board meeting.
“We’re hoping that it progresses so that maybe by RAGBRAI we’ll be properly signed,” Mt. Pleasant Community School Board President Angie Blint said during discussion on replacing the Iowa Wesleyan University signs with MPCSD signs. Blint also stated that she noticed the removal of signs beginning already last week.
Superintendent John Henriksen shared information on quotes for removing and replacing the following signage: the vinyl graphics on the main entrance, an illuminated MP logo, and the monument sign faces. The district received quotes from Sherwood out of West Burlington and Nesper out of Cedar Rapids.
While Nesper offered a less expensive quote for the main entrance vinyl, Sherwood’s quotes for all three portions of the sign project came in just over $20,000 less with a total of $21,098. Additionally, Sherwood already has all of the district’s graphics which should make the process simpler.
According to Henriksen, the new illuminated sign designated for the main building will look much like the one recently installed at Mt. Pleasant Community High School. The design for the vinyl will be different from what Sherwood presented.
“We had some conversations about standardizing,” Henriksen explained. “We had some conversation about what is our standard panther head. This is not my favorite. Mr. Wilson said it kind of looks like a wild cat. Is it a wild cat? Is it a panther? What is it?”
Additional changes to the proposal will include the signs reading “Mount Pleasant Community School District” instead of “Mt. Pleasant Community Schools.”
Board member Derek Mullin motioned to approve Sherwood’s quote, Mike Hampton seconded, and the motion carried with unanimous approval of all present board members.
This new signage should lessen confusion as the school district intends to host a large charter of RAGBRAI riders at central campus next month.
Additionally, riders with tents will camp on the southside of the Maple Leaf Athletic Complex the school also purchased at the time of the IW closure. Maple Leaf also will offer showers to RAGBRAI riders while they spend day six of their ride in Mt. Pleasant.
“That’ll be a great fundraiser for a bunch of teams at $8 a shower,” Board member Melinda Huisinga commented.
MPCSD also will host a group of “disabled drivers” at Mt. Pleasant Community Middle School for the RAGBRAI festivities.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
