School facilities ready for fall

West Side School entrance

Building and Grounds Manager Greg Schaller says the schools are basically ready to go for fall opening, with a few projects on hold (such as composting system and jacking up sunken floors) pending the September bond referendum. Readily visible summer projects include sidewalk and playground work at West Side School, and a new high jump runway at the high school. Work continues on data and computer system updates.

High School Associate Principal Adam Riley reported on the soccer field work that has met some snags. The new field behind the high school was graded, with irrigation systems installed. But in the middle of the process, a previously unknown drainage tile blew up in the middle of the field. The tiling came from the high school buildings and drained to Lake Roberts. Hence the seeding process has been halted, leaving in question the readiness of the field for next spring. Riley says he has discussed the possible use of fields at Luther College, but does not have an answer regarding that possibility. Riley said it probably was better to find out about the problem now, rather than have a mid season field problem.

The soccer field does have the addition of a rotating scoreboard on the north side of the field that could also be used for the adjacent practice football field. The scoreboard was funded by the Decorah Athletic Booster Club.

New West Side playground design

Soccer field scoreboard