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Investment in extracurricular facilities next for Iowa City schools
Iowa City school board approves $104.6M plan for field houses, fine arts additions in 5-1 vote
Jun. 11, 2025 4:37 pm, Updated: Jun. 12, 2025 8:16 am
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IOWA CITY — The Iowa City school board in a 5-1 vote Tuesday approved the next round of facilities projects, a $104.6 million investment in the construction of field houses and fine arts additions and improvements to athletic fields, performance spaces and playgrounds.
The facility plan is a continuation of the district’s facility plan 2.0, initially approved by the school board in April 2022 with a budget of $270.7 million.
There is about $114.7 million left of the plan being funded by Secure an Advanced Vision for Education, a capital projects fund that’s funded by statewide sales taxes allocated to school districts based on certified enrollment.
School board member Mitch Lingo voted against the projects, voicing concern over the future of school funding and the rising cost of construction. He said the plan leverages SAVE funding through 2047.
“Why the rush? There’s broader concern about the wider financial landscape that we face as a state and as a nation. The original facilities master plan and 2020 update were developed under a very different state funding environment,” Lingo said.
Board member Jayne Finch was not present at the meeting.
The Iowa City district began a 10-year plan in 2013 that took “care of our needs inside the classroom,” said Chace Ramey, deputy superintendent for the district.
“Then we expand to the whole child … enhancing the student experience, so they find connection to students, adults and to themselves. It gives kids another avenue to be connected to what they do in the classroom,” Ramey said.
Lucas Ptacek, executive director of secondary schools for the district, said around 6,000 students participated in athletics and fine arts activities during the 2024-25 school year.
Engagement in extracurricular activities can improve student attendance and academic achievement, Ptacek said.
Lingo, who was elected in November 2023, said in his first four months on the school board he was a part of the decision to close Hills Elementary School. Later, the school board began discussing plans to restructure elementary schools by “pairing” them as a cost-saving measure.
District spokeswoman Kristin Pedersen said the pairing concept is no longer being explored.
“Having these kinds of experiences has made me very cautious about long term facilities planning,” Lingo said.
“I look at the projects in front of me and say, ‘How confident am I that these are the needs we will face over the next 22 years?’” Lingo said. “I have concern for the flexibility of future boards.”
Lingo also said once the district breaks ground at one high school, they’re committed to upgrades at all three high schools. “It’s only fair. If we start by building at West, it’s only fair that City and Liberty experience the same things,” he said.
In response to Lingo’s concerns, school board member Charlie Eastham said he has “a great deal of confidence that the future is something we can master when we get there.”
“We have requests that have been vetted by the staff, principals, athletic directors and many others who are knowledgeable about what the district needs. I am more than happy to support addressing the issues we have in front of us now, and confident that school boards 20 years from now will be able to address the issues,” Eastham said.
School board members Lisa Williams and Shawn Eyestone voiced support for investing in fine arts and athletic facilities.
“We’ve met the academic needs for our facilities. It’s simply time for our fine arts and athletics,” Eyestone said.
What are the projects?
The five-year facility plan includes the addition of field houses — indoor sports and recreational facilities — at West and Liberty high schools for $12 million each. The addition of a field house at City High School is estimated to be $13.5 million.
Investments into the high schools’ soccer fields, stadium lights and turf fields also will be made under the plan.
Funding also will be allocated for upgrades to high school performing arts spaces. City and Liberty high schools would see $5 million fine arts additions.
West High will get a $5.5 million investment in its auditorium and stage. The little theaters at West and City highs each will get $1 million investments.
Another $3 million will be allocated to playgrounds and outdoor classrooms.
In partnership with the City of Iowa City, the plan directs $4 million to Mercer Park fields, giving the district exclusive use of fields 1 and 4 for the next 25 years. The site improvements will allow Iowa City High School to move its softball program to the park.
Another project is $14.5 million for competition pools at the city of Coralville’s proposed recreation and aquatic center. The competition pool will provide space for Liberty and West high schools’ swim teams.
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