Sault Tribe announces plans to build new gymnasium

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT TRIBE OF
CHIPPEWA INDIANS

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Sault Tribe announces plans to build new gymnasium

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron Payment announced Friday the tribe’s approval of financing and the selection of a contractor to build a brand new gymnasium for the Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Public School Academy.

Earlier this spring, the JKL School Administration shared results of a parent survey that prioritized a gymnasium addition as their top priority.

A new gymnasium will make available existing space for cafeteria expansion, which was the next highest priority ranked by JKL parents.

The expansion will be a full size, 80-by-150 foot K-8 gymnasium that can be used for physical education and multi-purpose use like school functions, assemblies, graduations, holiday programs and celebrations, that are currently held off site.

JKL parent, Sault Tribe Board Member and JKL Fiduciary Committee Member DJ Hoffman said, “This expansion was prioritized by the parents to enable our children to participate in educational, recreational and physical fitness programming on site rather than having to be bused off site, which takes valuable time away from instruction.”

The project is a culmination of countless meetings between the JKL Fiduciary Committee and JKL School Superintendent with representation from the JKL School Board.

Both the school superintendent and School Board president were consulted in the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase with the needs of the school incorporated in the final RFP.

Aspects of the project like interior fixtures and equipment are yet to be decided by the school.

Additionally, the JKL Fiduciary Committee has announced its approval of a grant up to $100,000 pledged toward the total project for recreational equipment, as well as a state-of-the art gym floor for the safety of the students.

Chairperson Payment said, “Today, I signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a tribal member owned and operated contractor - Moore Trosper - who has vast experience with constructing public schools throughout Michigan. We will continue to work cooperatively with the JKL School Board and Administration to ensure all of the needs of our children are met.”

The projected completion date will allow the school to host its holiday programs in its new gymnasium and avoid busing children off site for PE during the coldest months of the year.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Dale-Burton at the Sault Tribe Communications Department at 906-635-6050.

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