It has recently come to our attention that a large portion of the new LCS Multi-Purpose Center, being constructed at the High School/ Middle School campus, is being allocated to the Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation Gymnastics Club. Southern Lakes has currently leased a portion of Hyatt Elementary school, which they have exclusive access and control of to utilize as a gymnastics training center. The purpose of this petition is to request a public hearing with Linden Community Schools Superintendent, Russ Ciesielski, to discuss the amenities and layout of the new LCS Multi-Purpose facilities main fieldhouse area.
The current design of the main fieldhouse area is split into three sections. Basketball/Volleyball courts (approximately 51.1% of the floor space), Permanently mounted gymnastics equipment (approximately 28.4% of the floor space) which leaves 20.5% of the floor space for a small fitness room and turf field area. This design denies outdoor field sports (i.e. Football, Baseball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Softball, Band, Cheer, Track…) the ability to utilize this building to its fullest potential. This building is being constructed by Linden Community residents, and therefore all Linden School athletes should have the ability and utmost priority to utilize this facility.
The creators of this petition feel it would be more advantageous and cost effective to install a state-of-the-art fitness center, where all athletes can work on strength and conditioning. This would consume 20.5% of the floor space in the main fieldhouse. The remaining 79.5% of the floor space would be turf field with the option of temporary/portable equipment (i.e. Basketball/Volleyball courts) to conduct practices, tournaments, and competitions. This added flexibility would make Linden Schools a prime destination for additional students/athletes, undoubtedly increase student body numbers, and generate a tremendous source of revenue for Linden Community Schools.
In addition, this facility would create vital accommodations for outside private teams, clubs, and groups to rent, and consequently generate additional funds for both the school district and general maintenance of the building itself. At the present time, this petition has the majority support of the Linden Coaches, Athletic Boosters Board and Civic Leaders. Unfortunately, the current design was approved by one public official without sufficient input from the Linden Coaches, Boosters or LCS Board members. Since the building is being fabricated with the tax dollars of Linden residents, we should therefore have a voice in the final product. Please put our Linden kids first and support us in our effort to correct this oversight, and maximize the potential of both this building and your tax dollars.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
April 6, 2023
April 4, 2023
We are approaching 500 signatures and need to maintain this momentum to force a public hearing with Superintendent Ciesielski. Text three neighbors right now and ask them to sign this petition before the end of the day.
Reached 100 supporters
May 27, 2022
May 24, 2022
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to push harder to get the attention of the superintendent. Post this link on your Facebook page right now. Email your representative to demand a public hearing on this facility design.
45 Comments
The building seems to be very over priced, I would like to know how this deal was done with no parent/coaches input? How does Southern Lakes get involved with a Linden project? Just not right!
50% of the building for gymnastics? This puts most, if not all the sports that a majority of the students participate in out…not right.
It is my hope as an alumni parent of an alumni band student that this building could be utilized during marching season for a practice field for the band. The parking lot area that is used for band practice has never been ideal for these students. These kids deserve a safe field to practice on too.
SLPR doesn’t even offer discounts to Argentine Twp residents that are paying for this field house.
We don't need another gymnasium! Field turf would accommodate 80% of all school sports including Band!
This is how it should be - taxpayers have all info and decide what's done with this building, especially for students of Linden Schools and Linden Residents!
This is precisely why I voted against this.
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It has recently come to our attention that a large portion of the new LCS Multi-Purpose Center, being constructed at the High School/ Middle School campus, is being allocated to the Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation Gymnastics Club. Southern Lakes has currently leased a portion of Hyatt Elementary school, which they have exclusive access and control of to utilize as a gymnastics training center. The purpose of this petition is to request a public hearing with Linden Community Schools Superintendent, Russ Ciesielski, to discuss the amenities and layout of the new LCS Multi-Purpose facilities main fieldhouse area.
The current design of the main fieldhouse area is split into three sections. Basketball/Volleyball courts (approximately 51.1% of the floor space), Permanently mounted gymnastics equipment (approximately 28.4% of the floor space) which leaves 20.5% of the floor space for a small fitness room and turf field area. This design denies outdoor field sports (i.e. Football, Baseball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Softball, Band, Cheer, Track…) the ability to utilize this building to its fullest potential. This building is being constructed by Linden Community residents, and therefore all Linden School athletes should have the ability and utmost priority to utilize this facility.
The creators of this petition feel it would be more advantageous and cost effective to install a state-of-the-art fitness center, where all athletes can work on strength and conditioning. This would consume 20.5% of the floor space in the main fieldhouse. The remaining 79.5% of the floor space would be turf field with the option of temporary/portable equipment (i.e. Basketball/Volleyball courts) to conduct practices, tournaments, and competitions. This added flexibility would make Linden Schools a prime destination for additional students/athletes, undoubtedly increase student body numbers, and generate a tremendous source of revenue for Linden Community Schools.
In addition, this facility would create vital accommodations for outside private teams, clubs, and groups to rent, and consequently generate additional funds for both the school district and general maintenance of the building itself. At the present time, this petition has the majority support of the Linden Coaches, Athletic Boosters Board and Civic Leaders. Unfortunately, the current design was approved by one public official without sufficient input from the Linden Coaches, Boosters or LCS Board members. Since the building is being fabricated with the tax dollars of Linden residents, we should therefore have a voice in the final product. Please put our Linden kids first and support us in our effort to correct this oversight, and maximize the potential of both this building and your tax dollars.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
April 6, 2023
April 4, 2023
We are approaching 500 signatures and need to maintain this momentum to force a public hearing with Superintendent Ciesielski. Text three neighbors right now and ask them to sign this petition before the end of the day.
Reached 100 supporters
May 27, 2022
May 24, 2022
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to push harder to get the attention of the superintendent. Post this link on your Facebook page right now. Email your representative to demand a public hearing on this facility design.
45 Comments
When the community passes a bond like this, we are entrusting the school system with maximizing the money to benefit as many student athletes and community members as possible. We expect an incredible facility that will reflect Linden’s full range of athletics. If it does not, community/school trust has been broken.
The building seems to be very over priced, I would like to know how this deal was done with no parent/coaches input? How does Southern Lakes get involved with a Linden project? Just not right!
50% of the building for gymnastics? This puts most, if not all the sports that a majority of the students participate in out…not right.
It is my hope as an alumni parent of an alumni band student that this building could be utilized during marching season for a practice field for the band. The parking lot area that is used for band practice has never been ideal for these students. These kids deserve a safe field to practice on too.
SLPR doesn’t even offer discounts to Argentine Twp residents that are paying for this field house.
We don't need another gymnasium! Field turf would accommodate 80% of all school sports including Band!
This is how it should be - taxpayers have all info and decide what's done with this building, especially for students of Linden Schools and Linden Residents!
This is precisely why I voted against this.
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When the community passes a bond like this, we are entrusting the school system with maximizing the money to benefit as many student athletes and community members as possible. We expect an incredible facility that will reflect Linden’s full range of athletics. If it does not, community/school trust has been broken.