By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Earlier this week, two Carbon County School District 2 elementary school projects were halted by the School Facilities Commission.
The projects, Medicine Bow and Elk Mountain elementary schools, were well on their way and had a construction start date of early June.
But on Monday, District 2 Superintendent Bob Gates received word that both projects were over budget and would need significant changes, including the demolition of the Elk Mountain gym.
“Everything is on hold right now,” Gates said of the two projects. After community, staff and board meetings, the superintendent should be able to present a course of action to the school board next Friday.
The Elk Mountain gym was supposed to be saved. Now, a month before construction was to begin and in the midst of teachers packing up their classrooms, the bad news came.
A community meeting where residents can voice their concerns as well as vote on the next step is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the school.
“To say it will be a hot meeting is an understatement,” Gates said.
The school board ultimately decides between two options, either going forward with the adjusted project or holding off until fall to re-apply for funding.
Gates said the cost to renovate the gym to bring it up to code is nearly $1 million. Re-applying in the fall has a slim chance of success, Gates said, because the commission’s funding is not expected to grow soon.
Because the cost of construction is always increasing, he said, waiting likely won’t help the gym’s chances of survival. Ken Daraie, director of the School Facilities Commission, was not available for comment.
The announcement has fewer ramifications for Medicine Bow.
“Medicine Bow isn’t losing as much because they didn’t have as much to lose,” Gates said. The biggest change is that the new school will now be built on the open football field in town instead of on the demolished remains of the vacant building in the center of town.
The demolition savings amounts to $500,000 and will be put back into construction of the new building, according to Gates.
Troy Maddox, Medicine Bow Town Council president, was disappointed by the news. Plans have often been snuffed in the council’s quest to find a use for the building. However, the wait should be two years before the old facility can be removed, because funds for demolition should appear in the School Facility Commission’s next biennial budget.
“One of the reasons the trade was going to work so well was because the building was going to come down,” Maddox said. “But we can wait for two years. We understand the budget.”
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Medicine Bow to turn 100
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Medicine Bow turns 100 next year, prompting resident Kenda Colman to organize a celebration.
The event comes at an opportune time, converging with a proposed influx of energy workers and an effort to revamp the town’s rodeo grounds.
The Centennial Committee met for the first time last week and emerged with grand ideas for a two-day birthday party in June 2009.
According to Colman, the prized idea is to ask all the town’s organizations to host an activity. For instance, the Fire Department might hold a dinner. Or, the rodeo arena committee might have a rodeo.
“It may not be a full-swing rodeo like the old days, but maybe something reminiscent,” Colman said.
In the preliminary concept, each organization would absorb event costs as well as proceeds. However, Colman said her committee members suggested setting some of the funds aside to continue the celebration in coming years. It could be a revival of Bow Days.
“If (the 2009 event) is successful,” she said, “we’ll see Bow Days return.” If nothing else, Colman has ideas to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Virginian hotel two years later.
Because the town has history in air, train and car traffic, Colman has contacted Union Pacific Railroad, an antique model car group and a collector of old airplanes to participate. She also hopes to recruit an American Indian group because of the town’s name and history. The event should also involve a parade, a dinner and games for children.
The Centennial Committee hopes to provide overarching support for the town’s organizations by helping to write grants and plan events.
“We’ll see how much of a celebration we can do with the money we get and the people who contribute,” Colman said.
Times staff writer
Medicine Bow turns 100 next year, prompting resident Kenda Colman to organize a celebration.
The event comes at an opportune time, converging with a proposed influx of energy workers and an effort to revamp the town’s rodeo grounds.
The Centennial Committee met for the first time last week and emerged with grand ideas for a two-day birthday party in June 2009.
According to Colman, the prized idea is to ask all the town’s organizations to host an activity. For instance, the Fire Department might hold a dinner. Or, the rodeo arena committee might have a rodeo.
“It may not be a full-swing rodeo like the old days, but maybe something reminiscent,” Colman said.
In the preliminary concept, each organization would absorb event costs as well as proceeds. However, Colman said her committee members suggested setting some of the funds aside to continue the celebration in coming years. It could be a revival of Bow Days.
“If (the 2009 event) is successful,” she said, “we’ll see Bow Days return.” If nothing else, Colman has ideas to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Virginian hotel two years later.
Because the town has history in air, train and car traffic, Colman has contacted Union Pacific Railroad, an antique model car group and a collector of old airplanes to participate. She also hopes to recruit an American Indian group because of the town’s name and history. The event should also involve a parade, a dinner and games for children.
The Centennial Committee hopes to provide overarching support for the town’s organizations by helping to write grants and plan events.
“We’ll see how much of a celebration we can do with the money we get and the people who contribute,” Colman said.
Award-winning bears on display
Times staff report
“Bear Rock,” the award-winning sculpture created by Encampment High School art students, is on display at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne through June 14.
The display includes the eight winning designs out of the 35 submitted. Titled “Wild About Bears,” the exhibit celebrates the 20th anniversary of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. The museum may be named the official wildlife art museum of the United States, pending President Bush’s signature on the bill.
The goal of the museum’s bear competition was to encourage students to pursue wildlife art. By displaying them professionally, students can envision their success as artists. The cash prizes awarded to the schools that created the winning bears help boost art programs.
“Bear Rock,” the award-winning sculpture created by Encampment High School art students, is on display at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne through June 14.
The display includes the eight winning designs out of the 35 submitted. Titled “Wild About Bears,” the exhibit celebrates the 20th anniversary of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. The museum may be named the official wildlife art museum of the United States, pending President Bush’s signature on the bill.
The goal of the museum’s bear competition was to encourage students to pursue wildlife art. By displaying them professionally, students can envision their success as artists. The cash prizes awarded to the schools that created the winning bears help boost art programs.
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