The following story appeared on KEVN on November 18, 2009 after the school board changed the plans for the Central High School science building. You can view the interview with FRCP President Steve McCarthy here.
They came with their game face on ready to put up a fight but instead members of the local organization Friends of the Parks walked away pleasantly surprised. Instead of moving forward with plans to expand Central High School on park land the Rapid City School District announced Thursday night that it will build somewhere else. The district was informed last week that the land it planned to use for the expansion is considered park land and under state law, the school isn’t allowed to build on it. Board members considered asking the state legislature to change the law or to put it to a public vote but neither of those options was a guarantee and would delay construction. Thursday night the board announced some unexpected news, they will move the science addition from park land on the southeast corner to an existing parking lot on the northeast corner. Steve McCarthy says, “This is a surprise, a wonderful surprise, and I congratulate the school board for really considering how important our parks are to Rapid City citizens, and I think it’s important for them too to maintain this park system. It’s nice to see the parks move up on the agenda.” McCarthy says although the new plan is less intrusive the board still wants to build more parking spaces on park land which he opposes. The board argued that Central’s tennis courts and parking lot are to be torn up and that land donated back to the parks so in turn, it’s an even trade. The proposed basketball courts and indoor running track would still be built on park land but would be used as a community recreation center which complies with state statute. In order for that part of the plan to move forward, the district needs city council approval. It goes before the council next month. As for moving the science wing to the north side, board member Suzan Nolan says – by doing so – the district will actually be saving money in the long run.
Megan Palera