School officials and other dignitaries turned out Tuesday, June 13, to break ground for a new wing at Park Rapids Area High School.
Among other people, Superintendent Lance Bagstad’s mother came to the ceremony from as far away as southern Texas.
“It’s a great day to celebrate Park Rapids, PRoject 309 and all of the work that has been done up to this point, and then all of the work that’s going to be done from now on,” said Bagstad, recalling how the school board started talking about the future of Park Rapids in September 2018.
With input from the public, the school board entered a strategic planning process that included facility improvements “to implement programs and develop programs that our students need,” he said. “We know that most of our kids in Park Rapids don’t go to four-year schools.”
This led to decisions that expanded the schools’ career and technical education (CTE) offerings, he said. “We really focused hard on what the future of Park Rapids education and our community is going to look like.”
“My kids do go to school here,” said Project Manager Justin Maaninga with ICS. “It is very personal to me. I’m really enjoying working with JLG (Architects), with the district, the board. It’s been a very good process.”
Bagstad acknowledged the role played by students, families, community members, businesses and local media in spreading the PRoject 309 story, making it possible for the district to pass a bond referendum to fund facility improvements.
The new wing, built on the site of the recently demolished Frank White Education Center, will house seventh and eighth grade learning spaces, as well as district offices and an auxiliary gym.
Other projects connected with the referendum include replacement of the Helten Avenue tennis courts, a new bus garage, a parking lot and pickup/drop-off area at Century School, new Century playgrounds, and renovations at both Century and the high school.
“The high school is really going to transform,” said Bagstad, noting that further additions at the high school will include a transportation lab and alternative learning center. “It is going to be setting us up for future generations of our students, our families and our community,” he said.
“When this is done, it’s going to be an awesome day moving forward for Park Rapids,” said Bagstad.
“The high school is really going to transform,” said Bagstad, noting that further additions at the high school will include a transportation lab and alternative learning center. “It is going to be setting us up for future generations of our students, our families and our community,” he said.
“When this is done, it’s going to be an awesome day moving forward for Park Rapids,” said Bagstad.
“My kids do go to school here,” said Project Manager Justin Maaninga with ICS. “It is very personal to me. I’m really enjoying working with JLG (Architects), with the district, the board. It’s been a very good process.”
“The city is very happy to see this,” said Mayor Ryan Leckner. “We already have a strong community, and I think a stronger school district will make even a stronger community. There’s exciting stuff happening in the city.”
