School architect to be selected

The school district will be interviewing, then selecting, an architect who could eventually design new athletic facilities, as well as options for what to do with the former high school and middle school. 

The Grand Coulee Dam School District board of directors voted Monday to interview two architectural firms out of five applicants to a Request for Qualifications to design options for school facilities.

The interviews of Design West Architects and NAC Architecture will take place at a special April 19 school board meeting, with the final selection of an architect being made on April 26 during the regularly scheduled board meeting.

A new gym, track, and field were all discussed when the board approved putting out a Request for Qualifications back in February. 

Additionally, $2.9 million dollars included in the state's proposed budget could go toward "repairs" of old facilities at LR.

"Two years ago we applied for the Small Rural Schools Repair grant," Superintendent Paul Turner told The Star in an email. "We were not chosen at that time but were on the list for future funding."

Turner said that both the Senate and House in the state Legislature currently have the funding identified in their proposed budgets for the next biennium.

"The problem is the word 'Repair,' Turner said about that potentially upcoming money. "Unless they change the rules on these funds, they cannot be used for new construction. That is our dilemma we are currently trying to get answers to."

Back in February, Turner said the goal in selecting a new architect was to be "shovel ready" for projects, when and if funds become available, and for the board to have a vision for the future of school facilities.