GAS — Councilman Rick Schulenberg is eager to see the Gas Community Center (nee, the old Gas School) bustling with activity.
He encouraged council members Tuesday night “to get it rolling,” by way of a committee to set out how and when the building, foremost its gymnasium, could be used. “We need to figure out how to maintain it, the hours to open it and cleanup.”
Schulenberg said kids have asked him about using the gym for basketball and other games, and he has offered to provide adult supervision, “but I can’t be available 24/7.”
Despite Schulenberg’s enthusiasm, council neglected to arrive at any conclusions, deciding to discuss it further at their next meeting on Nov. 10.
For the most part the structure, containing what once were classrooms as well as the gym, remains shuttered, noted Rhonda Hill, city clerk. It has been rented three times for such things as reunions and receptions, and Nov. 1 has been set aside for another. Cost is $50 plus a $50 deposit.
A library and mini-museum of Gas memorabilia is being considered for the facility. Just out the front door is a community storm shelter. And it remains a voting site.
Mention has been made of moving City Hall offices there, but not lately.
Gas purchased the school for $1 from USD 257 and since has beaten the odds on repairs and upgrades by City Superintendent Steve Robb and others doing most of the work at a fraction of an architect’s estimate.
All that awaits is maximizing its usefulness for the community.
Gas council stalls with community center plans
