Lake voters pass $18M school bond

by Marianne Gasaway

Voters in the Clear Lake School District continued their tradition of strong support for school issues Tuesday by overwhelmingly passing an $18 million bond issue.  The funds will be used to fund a wellness center, to be built in partnership with the City of Clear Lake, as well as various school security measures and improvements to school buildings and the Lions Field complex.

  Unofficial results of the election show 69 percent of the voters approved, with 1,012 voters saying yes to the bond question and 464 no. 

“I would like to thank all the people that helped get the Clear Lake School Bond Referendum passed.  What a great community,” Superintendent Doug Gee announced on social media following the March 3 vote.   “This was a real team effort, working hard for our students and our community. I am proud to serve the Clear Lake community. Their support for our school and students is fantastic.”

In addition to the local question, North Iowa Area Community College was asking voters to approve a $15 million bond issue.  Eighty percent of voters in the 11-county NIACC district approved of the measure. The money raised by the bond issue will go toward various infrastructure improvements, renovations and repairs to the college campus. About a third of the money will also be used to create new regional education centers that will focus on programs that include healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction and information technology. 

The Clear Lake School District wasted no time putting the wheels in motion for its projects to begin.  

Bid packages have already been sent out for the Lions Field work and the School Board is expected to approve a bid at its March 31 meeting.  The projects will include a new press box and bleachers at the football field, a new turf field and resurfacing the track.  In addition, a new press box and bleachers will be built at the softball field, along with a new concessions stand, restroom at the softball field and new softball field lights.  The work is estimated to cost $300,000 to $400,000.

Gee said work will also take place this summer at Clear Creek Elementary and E.B. Stillman Auditorium.  

A new secure entrance has been 

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designed for Clear Creek at a cost of $350,000 to $450,000.  Seating, lights and sound upgrades at EB Stillman Auditorium are estimated at $200,000 to $250,000.  Additional improvements to all three school buildings is estimated at $3 million to $4 million.

Approximately $10-$11 million of the school bond money will be used to fund a wellness center.  The school district has taken the lead for the design and construction phase of the proposed wellness center and is the primary financial contributor.  The city has verbally committed $700,000 to the project in the form of a general obligation bond, as well as a $300,000 contribution from its general fund to support costs associated with the elevated walking track, multi-purpose rooms, indoor playground rooms, and areas and other amenities located on the second level of the proposed building.  Schematic drawings of the proposed center show the main floor of the building would feature five courts, two with traditional flooring and three with a multi-purpose floor and the ability to be configured for a variety of activities, including pickle ball, as well as batting cages with areas to practice fielding.  A 200 meter track would surround the lower level.  Flexible space is also designed for meeting, practice rooms and classes. 

In the next few weeks the City and School District will sign a 28E agreement for joint participation in the Wellness Center.  The city will cover day-to-day operation of the center, including staffing and will be entitled to revenues generated at the facility.  The school will own the building, which will be constructed adjacent to the high school, and agree to lease to the city for not less than 25 years. 

The city has not determined membership  or user fees for the wellness center at this time.

Work on the Wellness Center could begin yet this fall, or in the spring of 2021.

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