Photo by Deb Gau Christa Peterson went over notes on what the estimated cost would be to update part of the former Russell-Tyler-Russell Middle School. Peterson is part of a group of Russell area residents who are trying to see if there is support to keep the school’s gymnasium for the community, instead of tearing it down. With a new K-12 school opening in Tyler this fall, the existing school buildings in Russell, Tyler and Ruthton are planned to be torn down.
RUSSELL — With Russell-Tyler-Ruthton students headed to a new K-12 school in Tyler this fall, the existing school building in Russell could be heading for demolition. But a group of local residents are trying to find out whether there’s enough community support to save part of it.
“The whole thing now, is trying to figure out how much it will cost,” to update the school gymnasium and support its upkeep, said Christa Peterson.
Peterson is part of a group of Russell residents who have been surveying community members over the past month or so. The group hopes that at least the school gymnasium and lobby can be saved for community use. But they’ll need to be able to show the project can support itself, with pledges of funding and volunteer time.
The group’s goal is to collect survey responses by July 4, before the Russell City Council’s next regular meeting on July 6. They’re working on a short time frame — the school building is due to be torn down in November, said group member Audie Sanderson.
Construction on a $35 million new school for RTR is nearing completion in Tyler, and the old RTR buildings in Russell, Tyler and Ruthton are planned to be demolished.
Like many schools in southwest Minnesota, the Russell school building has been added on to over the years. The older part of the building dates back to 1919, while the gymnasium is part of a later addition.
“Our main goal is to save the gym. If we can raise enough funds, we would like to get the dining and kitchen areas,” said group member Marian Livingston.
Peterson said one option could be for Russell to follow the example of Ralco, when it preserved the former Balaton school gymnasium. Russell community members could possibly pay a monthly membership to use the gymnasium, Peterson said.
However, if part of the Russell school building was saved, it would need a new heating and cooling system, plus ongoing funding for utilities, maintenance and other expenses. Sanderson said it will take an estimated $75,000 to $125,000 to make those updates. Utilities for the building would also cost an estimated $1,500 to $2,000 a month.
That’s where the surveys came in, Peterson said. Group members mailed out forms through Russell’s community newsletter to gauge residents’ support for saving the Russell School. The forms also asked for people’s ideas on how to make the gymnasium self-supporting, what kinds of programs they would support in the gym, and if they would be interested in volunteering or pledging funds for the building’s support.
Peterson said the group plans to meet Monday to assess the responses they get, before the Russell city council meeting.
Livingston and Peterson said keeping part of the school would mean saving an additional resources for Russell residents and families.
“The Russell community has changed tremendously in the past few years,” Livingston said. Now, there are a good number of young families and children living in town, she said.
“We have a great base of young parents,” Peterson said. Keeping the gymnasium will give Russell options for recreation and fitness, Livingston and Peterson said.
Russell area residents are encouraged to turn in surveys at the First Independent Bank lobby or night drop in Russell, or scan and e-mail them to russellnews@fibmn.com. Peterson said people could also contact her at christa.peterson2000@yahoo.com for more information.
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