Board reviews facility plans

Facility proposals that address the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District’s auditorium, pool and pick-up and drop-off issues are slated to receive public feedback next year.

The School Board got its first look at a few options on Oct. 28 as presented by Clint Selle, senior advisor for Bray Architects.

One of the options to alleviate traffic issues at the elementary and middle school includes an L-shaped parking lot and drive, with vehicles entering from West Union Avenue and exiting onto Second Street.

Supt. Chad Brakke said that plan still allows parents to drop off children near the door and then continue through the parking lot.

Brakke said that option was preferred by elementary school Principal Jeff Kondrakiewicz, who has lamented traffic issues at the school for a few years.

Inside the elementary school, an elevator is proposed for access to the second floor, as well as turning a storage room into public toilets, renovating the locker room as a special education room and adding a ramp or lift to access the day care room.

Proposals differ on what to do with the auditorium. One has it staying where it is with updates. Another moves it to one of two locations at the high school and turns the old auditorium into a kitchen and allows expansion of the band and choir areas.

The auditorium holds 500 people. A new one could hold as many as 800 and kept to  one floor. Any larger and a balcony is recommended to be able to see performers.

A turf football/soccer field is an option, and the district has to decide what to do with its pool, which is at or past its lifespan.

Some board members questioned if the district would get out what it puts into the pool, which draws people from across the area since the closest pools are in Kohler and Port Washington.

“With the lake, it’s a huge safety issue learning how to swim,” board member Nancy Niebauer said.

A new competition pool, Selle said, costs between $12 million to $15 million. Renovating the pool costs about $2 million to $4 million.

Board President Chad Hoopman noted the cost difference the last time the board went to referendum. A new pool was projected to cost $6 million.

The district plans to hold community focus groups in February or March to get public input and listening sessions with the staff in spring.

A community survey is slated to be held in fall to determine what the community is willing to support. April 2022 is a possible time to hold a referendum, Selle said.