The Guthrie Center School Board approved the initial facility plan for the weight room/fitness center addition Monday.

Thomas Wollan and Hannah Hillyard of FRK Architects presented layouts for the 8,000 square foot two-story facility that would be built onto the southwest side of the high school. The lower floor would be designated for aerobic equipment, office and storage space and be half the width of the upper floor, which would be used for weightlifting and other strengthening. Wollan stated their “opinion of probable cost” for the total project, excluding flooring and fitness equipment, would be $1,060,000. This accounts for $913,000 in construction and the remainder for “soft costs.”

For the project timeline, Wollan expects the Board to let the project for bid in March and award a contract in April, with construction completing sometime next fall. Wollen suggested a public hearing could be held sometime during the bid letting process, but there is no required deadline to have that accomplished. Superintendent Dennis McClain says the current weight room space located in the gymnasium could then be used for more seating at sporting events. McClain also informed the Board they would hold a public hearing on project financing in February.