FAQ's

1. Why does the District feel the need to build this complex at this time?

The District believes the timing is right to complete this project which is part of its Twenty Year Facilities Vision. Just as was the case with the recently completed Performing Arts Center, the District desires to provide facilities that are commensurate with the quality and size of its programs. Having this facility on the District campus will also be a much more convenient location for all programs.

2. What will be included as part of the Activities Complex?

The Activities will include an artificial turf field, an eight lane track, bleachers for home and visiting fans, a restroom and concessions building, a press box, a scoreboard, fencing along with perimeter, and a sidewalk leading from the high school to the complex. The field itself will be regulation size for football and soccer.

3. What is the estimated cost for the Activities Complex project?

The project is estimated to cost $5.5 million.

4. How will the Activities Complex project be financed, and how will its construction impact taxpayers in Mount Vernon?

The project will be financed through private donations and a PPEL loan taken out by the District to pay for whatever is not covered by private donations. To this point, $1.8 million has been raised through private sources. This project will have no impact on taxpayers

5. How will a PPEL loan impact the District in maintaining and repairing its facilities during the life of the loan?

The District’s PPEL funds have money dedicated for projects, and for routine maintenance and repair. The loan will be borrowed against the project money, and thus would have no impact on yearly funds dedicated to maintenance. The District does not anticipate any other major buildings and grounds projects during the period of the loan that would be impacted by taking out the loan. In recent years, the District has utilized PPEL funds on building projects including the renovation of the middle school fine arts auditorium, the new tennis courts, and recent floor and ceiling work at the elementary school. The District is confident that taking out a PPEL loan will bring the Activities Complex project to its fruition, while allowing for funding of other buildings and grounds needs.

6. What is the timeline for this project to be completed?

The District is targeting to complete the project by Spring 2024.

7. How have private fundraising efforts been progressing, and will there be a more public campaign seeking funds from Mount Vernon residents?

To date, $1.8 million has been raised for the project. A more public campaign has been launched to allow more members of the community to become involved in the project if they so choose.

8. Where will the Activities Complex be built?

The preferred location for the project is on land just to the north and west of Mount Vernon High School, bordering the Stonebrook neighborhood and Cornell College.

9. Now that I know where the Activities Complex will be built, I have concerns about how it will impact those who live in the Stonebrook neighborhood. How will the residents be impacted, and are there any other sites being considered?

The District has conducted meetings with Stonebrook residents to discuss the proposal that will have minimum impact on the neighborhood. Modern day lighting should not impact the neighborhood in any way, and the District will work to ensure that any noise from speaker systems will be held at reasonable levels. The District is also taking into consideration concerns shared by those living closest to the project with regard to the placement of the press box and larger set of bleachers. These neighbors prefer that the press box and larger set of bleachers be placed on the east side of the complex.

10. I am concerned with water issues if the Activities Complex is built north of the high school. Has the District researched possible water issues related to this construction?

Hall and Hall Engineering has studied the water flow issues in depth, and has no concerns regarding any negative impact on the surrounding area. Further studies will be completed as the planning process progresses.

11. What is wrong with the spaces currently available to us at the 1st Street Field and Cornell College?

Continued maintenance of the 1st Street Field will prove to be costly over time, and the field does not have adequate space for a regulation size soccer field. The 1st Street Field also does not have a track facility. While the arrangement to play some football games at Cornell College has been positive, the District desires to have its own facility for its football, soccer and track teams as well as its marching band.

12. Who is the District working with to develop the plan for the Activities Complex?

The District is working with Hall and Hall Engineering out of Hiawatha, Iowa, to lead the project. This firm provided drawings and guidance when the District placed a similar project on the failed 2016 bond issue.

13. What other projects are on the horizon for the District in terms of construction or renovation of facilities?

If the District grows in population as is expected over the next ten to twenty years, it may be necessary to build a fourth instructional building which will likely be an Intermediate building serving grades four and five. The earliest the District could bond for such a project is 2026 or 2027, and a bond issue is the likely mechanism to pay for such a project. This is another reason why it is important to complete the Activities Complex several years ahead of a possible Intermediate School project. Additionally, the likely preferred location for this project is the location of the current track and field at the elementary school, making it even more necessary to build the new Activities Complex.