When you think ‘infrastructure,’ do bridges, highways and railroads usually come to mind. Schools require the same kinds of investments as the interstate, and are often in just as much need of attention.
Built in the 1950s, the Chamberlain school board has deemed the district’s K-5 building has outlived its practical life.
After passing a funding initiative last year, superintendent Justin Zajic said they’re catching up to their goal – completion by the end of the 2023-24 school year.
“We’re sitting about a week behind the overall schedule, which is amazing given the winter we had," Zajic said. "Coming out of the winter in March we were about eight weeks behind. They’ve really worked to catch up. Our parking lots are poured, the gym floor is poured, classrooms are starting to be walled up, so it won’t be long until you can walk around and really get a feel for it.”
He said they want to break away from the sterile look of mid-century school construction.
“Our new building does have traditional style classrooms where you can have a group meeting, but it also is full of breakout spaces," Zajic said. "It’s designed in pods – eight classrooms surround a commons area, that once they have a project, they can go out into this commons area and have space to work.”
The new gymnasium will have enough room for 1,600 spectators. Zajic said the community remembers a time Chamberlain was a destination for sporting events.
“Really geographically, we sit in the best spot in the state. We’re right in the middle, right along the interstate, we have hotels, we have restaurants," Zajic said. "We’re trying to capitalize on that and say, 'Hey Rapid and Sioux Falls, come here, play in our tournaments, we have a lot to offer.'”
Zajic said they hope to have students in the facility for the 2024-25 school year.