On the Ballot: School bond issue to fund new high school gymnasium/fieldhouse addition

     The Grain Valley Board of Education has placed a $32 million school bond issue on the April 4th ballot to fund the site development, construction, equipping, and furnishing a new high school gymnasium/fieldhouse addition as well as district-wide maintenance needs.  According to the district, these projects are likely to include: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; replace roofing; upgrade athletic facilities; and address other repairs and improvements to existing facilities of the district. 
     The adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $1.7000 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property upon passage of the bond issue.
     If approved, the bond will allow the district to continue with Phase 6 of the GVHS Masterplan, which includes additions to the southwest corner of the existing building. This fieldhouse and student activities addition will include a new fieldhouse gymnasium that seats 2,000, renovation to the existing smaller gymnasium which will become the auxiliary gym, renovations to PE and varsity locker rooms, a new weight room, new student and activity entrance with student attendance office, and renovations to the existing commons/lunchroom.
     Demolition to the existing weight room, rooms previously used for band and choir, and the northwest corner of the existing gymnasium will make room for the new fieldhouse gymnasium and a wider Eagle Way student and activities entrance.
​     If passed, work would begin late spring/early summer, with a temporary weight room set up near the locker rooms and the exiting weight room and rooms previously used for band and choir would be removed. During the 2023-2024 school year, the new fieldhouse gymnasium, weight room, and student entrance with attendance office would be constructed.
     During the summer of 2024, renovations would occur to PE and varsity locker rooms, as well as to the existing gymnasium. Renovations would also occur in the commons area in the summer of 2024 as an alternate bid. Work on phase 6 is expected to be completed in time for the start of school in August of 2024.

     For more information on the issues and candidates on the April ballot, visit our Voter Resources page. 

A rendering of the exterior of the proposed addition to be completed as a part of the bond issue on the April 2023 ballot. Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools 

Video credit: Grain Valley Schools