Construction update for Southwest Dubois School Corporation

By Corbin Lingenfelter

Huntingburg- The Southwest Dubois School Corporation is adding new buildings and renovating another.

On Sunday’s edition of the Dubois County School Forum, Superintendent Tim LaGrange and Director of Maintenance and Facilities Cory Steckler, shared updates on the new admin building, Raider Athletic Complex, and renovations for Holland Elementary.

LaGrange explained the reasoning for the new admin building.

“This building that were in, Maple Park was I think built in 1954 and to say its showing its age is a massive understatement. We have serious roofing problems, we have serious HVAC problems and we have foundation problems and I’m talking major problems. So, we did have an engineer do analysis of this building and looked at what it would take to repair this building and then after all the repairs we still have a building that’s nearly seventy years old.”

LaGrange also shared what’s to become of the former admin building once construction is complete.

“The School Corporation did not own that land (In front of South Ridge High School) that the new offices are being built on that was actually city owned. What we’ve done is kind of traded land with the city and the city kind of paid the difference in appraised value. So, we took ownership of that land in front of South Ridge High School and the city of Huntingburg took ownership of this building and this block. We are paying rent to the city right now for this building until we move out and are responsible for the demolition of this building.”

As for the new Raider Athletic Complex, or RAC, Director of Maintenance and Facilities Cory Steckler explained what all will be in the facility.

“We’re looking at approximately seventeen-thousand square feet and we’re looking at an athletic turf surface on the main plane of the building. It also has an upper mezzanine that I’m sure will be used for various uses above some athletic storage. This will also house concessions and bathrooms for our soccer facilities structure. Really a lot going on, we’ll have some retractable netting and such, as well for various sports.”

LaGrange also says they are considering public usage of the RAC.

“That’s something were still working through. After South Ridge Athletics exhaust everything they need from that building and how much time is left, we’re still trying to figure that answer out. Certainly it is a conversation within the Athletic Department.”  

For Holland Elementary, it’s all about renovating the office facility. Steckler shared the details.

“We have Danco Construction coming in to move some walls. This is just to change the footprint, to add a difference conference room, and add a counselor’s office in that area. Basically to just help our flow in the administration area.”

Construction for the new admin building is expect to be complete by October this year.