FMCSD breathes as ribbon falls on facility upgrades

LOCAL PRIDE

Obviously you have a lot to be proud of. We’re fortunate to have a great group of local contractors on this project,” Smith said. “About 80 percent of those contractor partners are from within 30 minutes of Fort Madison.”

Chris Smith, Carl A. Nelson Co.

FORT MADISON – The snap of a scissor cut over a red ribbon wrapped up more than eight years of planning and replanning, scheduling and rescheduling, designing and redesigning of the $36 million expansion of the footprint of the Fort Madison Community School District.
On Thursday, school officials, dignitaries, and community members gathered at the Fort Madison PreK-6 building on the city’s west side, and then at the newly remodeled Junior/Senior High School, to christen the new buildings a day before students walked through the doors – right on schedule.
Superintendent Dr. Erin Slater said the facility improvements at the high school created new learning spaces, a new gymnasium, new lockerrooms, new spaces for 7th and 8th graders, new office spaces, and renovated art and culinary art spaces. New vocal and instrumental spaces were put into operation last year.
“Thank you so much for being here and celebrating an effort that has been eight years in the making,” Slater said.
She thanked administrators, staff, and students during the construction phase. She also thanked current and past boards of directors for their vision and leadership during the process.
The PreK-6th grade building will not only be a new preschool facility, but also benefits K-3rd grade students who will now have state-of-the-art learning spaces outside of the former Richardson and Lincoln elementaries that were recently given to the Harmony Bible Church and James Block building group for repurposing.
The building will feature commemorative plaques for the 16 board members who’ve been part of leading the effort to bring the project to completion.
Officials from Carl A. Nelson and DLR Group Architects were on hand to celebrate with the community.
Andrew Van Leeuwen, Senior Design Leader at DLR, called the project a “Labor of love”. He said the building is more than a school, but a place of inspiration and dreams of staff and students.
Chris Smith, president of Carl A. Nelson Co. who shepherded the project for the district, said Carl A. Nelson was again proud to be part of a project that enhances young minds.
“Obviously you have a lot to be proud of. We’re fortunate to have a great group of local contractors on this project,” Smith said. “About 80 percent of those contractor partners are from within 30 minutes of Fort Madison.”
Josh Wykert, the FMCSD Board President, said the day marks a significant milestone for the district.
“This represents an investment of $36 million to benefit all students of Fort Madison, both present and the future,” Wykert said.