Louise trustees start work on community fitness center
By APRIL HAMMAN Louise Correspondent

The lone bids for a renovation project which will transform the Louise school district's elementary locker rooms into a fitness facility for both students and the community was approved by trustees Monday night.

The project, designed to take advantage of a $200,000 state issued grant, has a general budget of $70,000.

Monday, trustees approved an $8,845 bid from BLS Construction of El Campo for construction management services.

This means they will actually handle the receiving of bids for any contract work to be done such as the lighting system and plumbing the building, Superintendent Andy Peters said.

Also accepted was a $9,704 bid for a new Duro- Last roof with a 20 year warranty from Jaco Construction of Clute.

The state grant dollars can only be used to purchase PE equipment such as weight machines, stationary bikes, treadmills and the like.

The funds cannot be used for renovating or beautifying the building that will house this equipment.

During deliberations last month, trustees were concerned with the amount of space that would be available for this equipment. After taking a closer look at the locker rooms they decided - once renovations are complete - that the site would be an ideal location to put the grant money to use.

Louise Athletic Director Rodney Dowell suggested installing ballet bars and having a designated space for tumbling or other physical activities for the public to use.

If someone would like to use the space to offer a karate class, he added, the space would be available to do so.

Trustee Debbie Townsend suggested there be a sliding partition to separate the side of the two sides of the room. One side will have stationary equipment and the other will be available for floor space.

Trustees agreed the facility would be a great addition to the community since not only will students benefit, but the public will have access as well.

In other discussion, Wharton County Tax Assessor-Collector Patrick Kubala attended the meeting to notify trustees that taxpayers will be receiving two separate statements this year for their property taxes.

Mass mailouts will be sent out during the last week of October and will not include the LISD tax rate, which is still pending due to an upcoming bond election.

Included in the mass mailouts will be a notice explaining that this will not be the only tax statement the payer will be receiving, Kubala said.

After the November elections, taxpayers will receive another statement reflecting the amount due the LISD.