I-S School Board requests more information

By Jane Myhra

The construction of tennis courts hit another snag when an update was presented to the Iola-Scandinavia School Board Monday, Nov. 9.

Members of the I-S Tennis Association asked for the board’s approval to proceed with the project.

According to Keith Williams, a member of the tennis group, preliminary plans call for the proposed tennis courts to drain into the storm water drainage in the school parking lot.

Members of the board requested that the drainage plan be approved by an engineer. They worried that the current storm water drainage system would not be able to handle a large run-off, such as a spring thaw.

“If we are going to do something, we might as well do it right the first time,” said board member Mike Koles. “We need to take into consideration long-term plans and what’s best for the school district.”

“If the school is worried about drainage, we should also be worried about drainage,” Williams said.

The tennis group agreed to have an engineer look at the drainage issues. The group noted the board’s request will delay the process.

The plan had been to lay a granite base before winter to allow time for it to settle. The original plan had been to begin construction in the spring.

According to Williams, the tennis courts will be constructed at no cost to the school district.

He said the cost of building two tennis courts is estimated at $100,000, which will be raised by the local tennis group.

Williams reported the tennis group has $46,000 currently pledged toward the project, with another $15,000 pending. The group has also applied for a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Tennis Association.

“Since we lost the private courts where we were allowed to play, we have had a lot of people interested in new courts,” said Williams. “When we were given a chance (to have the courts) near the school, we realized it would be a win-win for the community and the school.”

Until the board approves the project, the tennis group members said they will not continue fundraising.