TOWER- Tower-Soudan Elementary has a few reasons to celebrate. Last Thursday the school celebrated its annual fall spirit day with the “grand opening” of the newly-remodeled gymnasium and lunchroom, along with the official opening of the new school forest. There were crafts, the school book fair, root beer floats, a food truck, and more for families to enjoy. After the events at the school, Big Truck Night began in Soudan.
Principal John Jirik said he had started to think about ways to improve the school facility a couple of years ago. Some needed upgrades were funded by the district, like new student desks, sensory-friendly classroom furniture, and the new cafeteria seating.
“This gym is our community center,” he said. “But the district didn’t have all the funding needed to fix it up.” After a presentation he made to the board at Lake Country Power last spring, the school was awarded about $85,000 in unused capital credits. This paid for the vast majority of the estimated $91,000 renovation project. The district funded new overhead lighting and a new sound system. The LCP grant was used to repaint and repair the walls, purchase additional concert risers for the stage, and to fund the purchase of new pads (which were set to be installed shortly).
“We want our community using this gym,” he said. “This is pride.”
The newly-waxed gym floor reflected the bright newly-painted white walls, which along with the new lighting, turned the room into a bright and cheery spot. The gym is used for school and early childhood activities, as well as community events like the annual Tower-Soudan Area Singers concert.
Jirik noted that the school is rated highly for its academics, and they are working on adding in elementary-level athletic opportunities, including intermural volleyball and flag football this fall.
The school also recently completed the process for setting up a school forest, on 62 acres of city-owned land just north of the school building.
“It’s unique to have a school forest right next to the school,” said DNR Forestry staffer Victoria Jari. “This is awesome.” The land will be used to teach children about the importance of our area forests, to be used as an outdoor classroom, as well as provide a place to explore the outdoors. The school and the city of Tower worked with the DNR to gain the certification required. Jari and Keith Flood, who works at the forestry office in Tower, led a tour into the forest area, which shares trails developed for both hiking and ATV use.
The $85,000 grant is from a special Lake Country Power program created in 2022 to benefit schools in the cooperative’s service area. The Education Improvement Program awards grants of up to $100,000, funded through the coop’s unclaimed capital credits. The coop’s board of director’s reviews applications, determines the finalists, and then can request in-person interviews, before a final decision is made.