Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com
Published - Sunday, April 27, 2008
Timberwolf logo slated for gymnasium floor
Tomah High School’s gymnasium floor is likely to have a Timberwolf logo in the center and paw prints going diagonally up the court.
The Tomah School District’s Facilities Committee approved a new gym floor design that will emerge from a re-sanding and re-finishing project.
The project, however, won’t include one of the school colors. Business Manager Greg Gaarder said gold paint doesn’t last very long on a gymnasium floor.
“White and yellow are the worst colors you can put on a gym floor, period,” Gaarder said.
Committee member Dave Stutzman agreed.
“Let’s do something that’s going to last and look classy,” Stutzman said.
Committee member Gene Baumgarten said the gymnasium walls could include the school colors for considerably less money.
The project is estimated to cost $27,000-$30,000. It will begin June 30 and is expected to be completed by July 26.
In other business, the committee discussed drainage problems on the football practice field just east of E.J. McKean Field. The committee authorized Gaarder to hire La Crosse Engineering & Surveying Co. for $2,350 to review the problem and suggest solutions. The firm will review both surface options and an underground drainage system.
Gaarder said the school has a responsibility to ensure that any new drainage pattern doesn’t cause problems for neighboring residents.
“Nobody has been able to tell us what we can and can’t do,” Gaarder said. “We’re liable for where the water goes.”
The committee also:
*Reviewed plans for remodeling the oldest section of Warrens Elementary School. The $130,000 project is expected to begin June 6, the day after students leave for the summer.
“We’re looking to get this started as soon as school is out,” said Buildings & Grounds Manager Jeff Moody.
Funds for the remodeling were provided by the Phyllis Birkholz estate.
*Deferred action on new tennis courts. The committee left the open the possibility of new tennis courts at LaGrange Elementary School by either next fall or next spring, but Gaarder wants to go deeper into the budget process before making a commitment.
“We’re watching to see where the budget comes out,” Gaarder said.
The problem has been exacerbated by a wide crack that has developed on one of the existing courts at the high school. The crack has made one of the courts unplayable and has left just five playable surfaces.
The new courts would cost $242,000, a figure that doesn’t include lights. Gaarder said the courts would be funded over two budget cycles.
*Examined tentative plans to move the high school offices from the Lincoln Street entrance to the entrance at the cafeteria. It would be part of a project to move the main entrance to north end of the building next to the main parking lot.
All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.