Project of the Month, March 2008

Tipton Gymnasium/Community Building Addition

More than 200 individuals from Tipton, located in Mitchell County, and the surrounding rural community worked together to complete an addition to its existing gymnasium/community building in the downtown area. The project, which was completed during the winter of 2006, was partially funded by the Kansas Department of Commerce KAN STEP program. The grant was awarded in January 2005.
The community received a grant totaling $140,810 to purchase the building materials and pay for professional services including an architect, construction inspection and administration services. The city contributed approximately $35,000 in cash and community members from Tipton and the surrounding rural areas contributed nearly $117,000 in volunteer labor and donated equipment and tools to complete the project.

The project sparkplugs saw the need to have a facility that could accommodate large gatherings. Tipton is located 20 to 30 miles from other meeting sites or similar facilities, therefore it was deemed important for the city to have its own facility locally. The past community building was a gymnasium that lacked an adequate kitchen, meeting room or locker rooms for the many events that take place in Tipton. The building also had accessibility issues, particularly associated with the restrooms.

After evaluating project alternatives and researching potential options for funding assistance, the community came together to apply for a KAN STEP project. The end result was successful and Tipton now has an approximately 2,640 square foot addition to its community building that houses a new kitchen, locker rooms, restrooms and a meeting room that accommodates large meetings, community gatherings and special events. The addition is connected to the gymnasium that has also been modified and updated.

For more information about the project, contact the NCRPC. More information about the KAN STEP program is available at the Kansas Department of Commerce website. Kansas Rural Water Association provided construction inspection services and has additional project photos posted on its website at http://www.krwa.net/projects/projects.shtml.