ICCSD greenlights $104.6M five-year facility master plan, OKs 'independent' fieldhouses
Editor's Note: This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy about the final vote. The Facility Master Plan passed with a 5-1 vote.
The Iowa City Community School Board has approved a $104.6 million plan to upgrade several facilities in the next five years. The plan includes three new, independent fieldhouses at each of the city's public high schools and additions to the fine arts facilities.
The Facility Master Plan passed with a 5-1 vote at the regular meeting of directors on Tuesday, June 10.
The proposed projects are part of the district's ongoing and extensive facility master plan 2.0, a $270.7 million initiative approved in April 2022. With $114.7 million remaining, the district will fund the new projects through Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) and Physical Plant Equipment Levy (PPEL).
More: Iowa City school board considers $104M facility upgrades, including new gyms, performance venues
Several projects are already underway, including the district's Center for Innovation, located at 301 ACT Dr, which will house the Junior Achievement Dream Accelerator program. The district anticipates fully opening the facility by 2026.
Upgrades to Iowa City High School's baseball and softball fields at Mercer Park are also underway, with an expected completion date of summer 2026. The board previously approved a $14.5 million commitment to the Coralville aquatic center for Liberty and West's swim teams.
Notably, the new facilities plan will bring 'major renovations' and additions to City High, Liberty High, and Iowa City West High School's performing arts spaces, and each high school will have a new multi-use fieldhouse.
West High's fieldhouse will be the first of the three completed in the winter of 2027-28. City's new fieldhouse will be finished in the spring of 2028, followed by Liberty in the summer of 2028.
Each fieldhouse will be an " independent structure located directly on each campus' with indoor turf, making 'outdoor athletics and activities accessible year-round,'according to a news release from the ICCSD. The fieldhouses will focus on flexibility, providing a facility that will benefit P.E. classes, marching band practices, cheer and dance teams, and community programming.
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Each of the high school's fine arts spaces will get a facelift, including improvements to the auditoriums with enhanced seating and stages, as well as updates to technology, lighting, and rigging.
City High's auditorium is first on the list, which is expected to be complete by the winter of 2026-2027. West High will follow in summer 2027. Both 'little theaters,' spaces designed for smaller productions, will also be updated, with City High's renovations finished by spring 2027 and West's in spring 2030.
The district expects to complete Liberty's auditorium updates by fall 2028.
Deputy Superintendent Chace Ramey said the five-year facilities plan accounts for an estimated 5% annual increase in construction costs.
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Director Mitch Lingo, the only board director who voted against the facility master plan, the only board director who voted against the facility master plan, asked how equity and equality factored into the district's choices
'When the shovels hit the ground, and people start seeing shovels over West High School and not as many shovels in other two high schools…how would you explain that to the community?' Lingo asked.
Ramey called said the $104 million facilities plan is a 'celebration' and a 'tremendous accomplishment' and that 'the shovels have already hit the ground."
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'In four years, (we will) upgrade our athletics and fine arts (across the district)…I think it's a tremendous accomplishment,' Ramey said. 'We have tried to take into account what are some immediate needs…but also some of those larger projects…We couldn't do all three fieldhouses at the same time… We're still on pace to open all three within the six-month window, which I think is a credit to how the plan was put together.'
Other board members applauded the work and how it supports 'the whole child, both inside the classroom and outside the classroom." Several members agreed that extracurricular activities like athletics, fine arts, and clubs are an integral part of the educational experience.
Lingo said he voted "no" because of the long-term financial risk, declining enrollment, and his concern for future boards. He referenced the board's decision to close Hills Elementary in 2024, as well as other notable projects.
'Before joining the board… I was largely unaware of the weight of facilities' decisions (and) I quickly learned of the weight…when I was part of the decisions to close Hills Elementary,' Lingo said. 'Having these experiences has made me cautious about long-term facilities planning… And I have a concern with not just the projects in front of me today, but the flexibility of future boards, administrators, and most importantly, the students and families that come in and use our school district.'
Once the ground is broken, flexibility becomes limited, the flexibility of future boards and I will continue to advocate to slow down in this process," Lingo continued. "I'm sorry, but I can't support the (facilities master plan) as it's currently proposed.'
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City CSD's $104M facility master plan was approved. What is next?
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