School Groundbreaking in Basin Tomorrow
Written by Andrew-Rossi on April 10, 2018
The little town of Basin is thriving.
Within the last year, the town has seen a new fertilizer plant built by the Big Horn Co-op, and construction is underway for a new Rural Electric Association building on Main Street. And tomorrow, Big Horn County School District #4 is inviting the public to a groundbreaking ceremony for not one, but two new schools.
Dave Kirby, superintendent for the school district, says that in 2013, state officials rated Basin’s high school as the number one facility in the state in need of renovation. Andy DeGraw, finance officer for the school, says that in addition to gender equity issues with facilities such as locker rooms, there are areas that are not accessible by wheelchair, and in general, the school desperately needs upgrades.
Superintendent Kirby says that one of the new buildings will house Kindergarten through 5th grades, and the other will house grades 6 through 12. The two school buildings will be located on the same site and joined with a covered walkway, and will be located approximately 100 yds West of the current elementary school.
In addition to the benefits to the students, Kirby adds that the local economy will see a boost from the construction project as well.
Groundbreaking on the $30 million dollar project is scheduled for tomorrow at 1 p.m. Kirby says that they are hopeful that the schools will be open and occupied sometime in the fall of 2019.