The Black Hills High School (BHHS) wrestling club is one step closer to landing a new practice facility on campus.
The Tumwater School District (TSD) Board of Directors accepted the donation of a wrestling barn from the nonprofit organization Black Hills Wolves Wrestling. The accepted the donation at its meeting on Jan. 23.
The proposed $225,000 wood-framed building, which measures 4,400 square feet, would be located north of the bus area behind Building B at the high school.
Mel Murray, TSD Director of Facilities, said the wrestling barn would also feature a 17-foot vaulted ceiling inside, electricity, and heat.
The organization's volunteer design team is ready to submit documentation for building permits from the City of Tumwater, according to the school board's agenda packet. If the building permits are approved, construction would start this year.
“Black Hills Wolves Wrestling is covering all the costs associated with the design and construction of the building, so no Tumwater School District funds are being used or proposed to be used,” Murray said.
After construction, however, Murray said that the district would cover the utility costs associated with the building.
Murray clarified that there will be no construction taking place until the necessary funds have been secured through fundraising by the wrestling boosters.
The new building will allow wrestling practices to be transferred from the mat room in the school's main building, whic is currently shared by the physical education department, wrestling, cheer and dance teams.
TSD Board of Directors Vice President Casey Taylor stated that more discussion is needed to scrutinize issues regarding fundraising, donation approval and intended use.
“I think there (are) still some questions around the fundraising for the project … and also around the facility use of the building, and then also the actual formal donation approval. All three of these are tied to policy,” Taylor said.
Taylor said that the directors need more information on the proposed project in a form similar to a Memorandum of Understanding.
TSD Policy 4004 (Community Relations) and Policy 6114 (Management Support) require any real property gifts to be accepted formally by the Board of Directors.
Donated gifts also become the district’s property after the directors approve it, without any obligation related to use and disposal.
TSD also has Policy 4620 (Community Relations), which mandates the board to allow the use of school resources by community groups, as long as the use does not interfere with school activities.
Different facility use categories are based on the type of activity, and there are corresponding fees.
When asked about any planned use outside of wrestling season, Murray explained the facility is mainly for wrestling practices.
But, he said, the building could be used for youth wrestling, team or booster meetings, workouts during inclement weather, or any other purpose the district deems necessary.
“As wrestling has grown to a year-round activity like every other high school sport, there would be use(s) outside of the … high school wrestling season mainly by Thurston County Wrestling Club, which is a combined youth club hosted both at Black Hills and Tumwater High School,” Murray said.
Other private groups may use the wrestling barn, as outlined in a proposed facility use agreement provided to the board. However, spectators are not permitted as per the city’s occupancy requirements.
Murray said other activities that might be held in the building are after-school programs, such as hosting the Tumwater Rapids wrestling clud and preseason high school competitions.
After the donation is formally accepted as a school district facility, the structure may be repurposed for other school use as the Board of Directors deem necessary, and with prior notice.
“This is a great thing and it's great for the kids in the district for sure. So, I'd like to thank the group that's leading this. I know that's not easy, and it is a very generous gift so I do appreciate it,” Taylor said.
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OlyBlues
What a incredibly generous donation from the BHHS Wrestling Club. As a Tumwater Schools tax payer who is paying for every levy possible despite the district saying they are constantly broke and overspending their budget, it is a breath of fresh air to see community groups such as BHHS Wrestling helping the district out. I understand the district being cautious, but since they cannot manage their own finances or budget, this donation should absolutely be approved to benefit the students. Be nice to see some of these overpaid teachers helping construct the facility since they are bankrupting the school district.
Tuesday, January 28 Report this
Enforcer40
Not shocking that Board Member Taylor is questioning this idea, being that he even though he’s supposed to be supportive of all schools in the district, he doesn’t support anything related to Black Hills.
Tuesday, January 28 Report this