School board considers IW purchase during special session

MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant Community School District board held a special meeting Monday, June 26 to discuss potentially purchasing buildings in the central campus section of the former Iowa Wesleyan University property.

Throughout the last year, the MPCSD has discussed creating grade-alike elementary schools with the intent of eventually an all-grades elementary.

With the closing of Iowa Wesleyan, the school board began exploring the possibility of utilizing these buildings for this purpose.

With the assistance of Carl A. Nelson Construction, the school board toured the area in early June. At the special session this week, they met with the construction company to discuss the possible project.

The preliminary discussion revealed the estimated renovation cost to be between $26-$31 million. According to Superintendent John Henriksen, this number is less than an estimate they looked at for constructing a completely new building for this purpose.

While this estimate does include some renovations and an addition, there are many factors not included in this estimate such as, asbestos abatement, replacement/modification of mechanical electrical and plumbing equipment, exterior building improvements, kitchen equipment, parking lot improvements, playground equipment, relocating modifying site utilities, and basement renovation.

Other concerns addressed in the special session consisted of the cost of upkeep for buildings the school district did not see a use for.

The overall section they have considered consists of the Howe Student Activity Center and Ruble Arena, the Student Union, Old Main, Pioneer Hall, University Chapel, and the P.E.O Memorial Building.

The school district’s Building and Grounds Manager Chad Venghaus stated that maintaining Old Main and the P.E.O Building would be a noteworthy cost annually.

In this preliminary meeting, the group discussed possible uses for the other elementary schools if they went ahead with the idea and a timeline for execution.

If the school board moves forward with the purchase, the design portion of the project would take approximately nine months while construction itself could take approximately 18 months.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com