Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
Booster club to start fundraising for athletic complex
By Kathy Thompson
ST. HENRY - St. Henry Athletic Booster Club members are set to begin fundraising for a new athletic complex near the school.
School board members Monday night approved a resolution allowing a licensing agreement drafted by the club's attorney. The document detailed the club's and district's responsibilities for the operation of the proposed building, booster club president Eric Huelskamp said.
The resolution does not allow the club to begin construction or any other planning, just to begin fundraising, he said.
"We're very excited," Huelskamp said. "This, we believe, is going to be a very positive thing for both the school and the community."
While he did not give the complex's exact cost, the club plans to raise $1.75 million, he said.
"But we are still in the early stages and don't have all the drawings or plans yet," Huelskamp said.
The complex, which will include two basketball courts, a training room, a weight room upstairs and batting cages, will be built to the east of the high school on district property. Last month plans for a walking track were eliminated.
Once the design is complete, booster Nathan Schwieterman said the board will receive a feasibility study.
"We are going to keep the board apprised of our fundraising and the steps we take," Schwieterman said.
Board members also approved hiring Tricia Rosenbeck as the girl's varsity volleyball coach.
Rosenbeck, 33, said she is excited for the new season and believes she has a great team.
"We lost six seniors at the end of last year, but I have a very talented group and I have high expectations," she said.
Rosenbeck has been an assistant coach for three years and had coached at St. Marys Memorial High School for eight years before that.
In other action, board members,
• approved the district calendar for the 2016-2017 school year.
• approved maternity leave for Dianna Kunkler starting April 14.
• approved Carmen Moorman and Scott Smith as volunteer coaches for track and swimming, respectively.
