Ground was broken Sunday for a new Elida Elementary school.
Due to rain, the groundbreaking was held under a tent at the construction site.
Joel Mengerink, Elida superintendent, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new elementary school, which should open in the fall of 2021.
ELIDA — Ground was broken Sunday for a new elementary building for Elida schools.
“This day means a lot of hard work that’s coming to fruition finally,” said Joel Mengerink, Elida superintendent. “We’re excited to break ground on the new elementary school. We’re excited for future students that will have the opportunity to have class in a state-of-the-art building and just the opportunities that it brings with it.”
In May of 2018, voters approved a 2.8 mill bond issue and a 0.50 mill levy for the construction of the new building.
The 30-year bonds total $17.9 million to build the new school, and Elida will receive $18.1 million in contributions from the State of Ohio toward the project.
“First and foremost, it’s going to create a lot more space for us. Right now we’re under about a 68,000 square foot building. The new building will almost double that,” Mengerink said. “It’s going to be about 130,000 square foot. It will have the latest, greatest in technology, safety and security, and it’s going to be a lot more friendly from the standpoint of HVAC systems for students.”
Within the next week or so, construction crews will start moving dirt while the site is prepared.
“We’re really excited. It’s been a good process,” said Brian Wolf, project manager with Garmin Miller Architects and Engineers. “We worked on the high school with the district years ago, then to come back again and be able to do it with the elementary schools is just really exciting. The district’s great to work with. They definitely have the kids in mind when they make decisions.”
The decision by the school board to go to the voters wasn’t an easy one but one that needed to be done, given the condition of the present elementary school.
“Thank you very much. It’s so needed and so appreciated. It’s really a blessing,” said Brenda Stocker, board president.
Students should be in the new building right after Labor Day 2021.
Reach Sam Shriver at 567-242-0409.
