It will cost $242,000 to build seven competition tennis courts at LaGrange Elementary School.

Members of the Tomah School District’s Facilities Committee heard the price tag for the tennis courts and reviewed two other projects involving athletic facilities during their meeting Wednesday at the new Robert Kupper Learning Center.

The cost estimate, prepared by Mathy Construction of Onalaska, doesn’t include lights. School District Business Manager Greg Gaarder acknowledged that the tennis courts would take a big chunk from the district’s annual $550,000 building and maintenance budget. He suggested paying for the project over two budget cycles.

“We’ve got some heavy-duty things ahead of us, like roof replacement,” Gaarder said. “We’ll have to see where (the courts) fit into this.”

Originally, the courts were slated to be built at the Kupper Center, which was the Western Technical College Tomah campus until last December. However, Gaarder said the seven-acre site lacked sufficient space.

At LaGrange, the courts would occupy an existing soccer field.

The six courts at the high school have been an issue for several years. The hard-plastic playing surface has several dead spots and is considered inadequate by Mississippi Valley Conference tennis coaches.

Gym floor

The committee also examined a proposal to sand and refinish the gymnasium floor at Tomah High School. Committee members reviewed plans that would incorporate the new Tomah Timberwolves logo in the design. Gaarder submitted 11 different options that illustrated the Timberwolf logo and paw prints in various places on the floor.

The project is estimated at $30,000.

“Whatever you choose, it’s what you’re going to have for the next 12 to 15 years,” Gaarder said.

Board President Gene Baumgarten said the full school board should approve the final design. Committee member

Committee member Gary Grovesteen said the high school coaches should also review the plan.

The board also discussed the football practice field on the north end of the high school grounds. The site is plagued by poor drainage.

Gaarder didn’t have a cost estimate to address the drainage concerns. He will meet with a contractor on Friday. He said the challenge is to elevate the field without creating water problems somewhere else.

“Where does the water go if we level the field out?” Gaarder asked.

The committee will meet again April 2.