Ballot deadline approaching for Troy Activity Center

Tuesday, Dec. 18 is the last day to submit the mail ballots for the Troy Activity Center bond.

Mail ballots were sent to 1,713 registered voters in the Troy School District on Nov. 27. The returned ballots are sent to the Lincoln County Election Office and as of Monday, 855 ballots have been returned, according to Troy School District Superintendent Brady Selle.

"The voter turnout is very high," Selle said during the Troy School Board meeting Wednesday evening. "It's nice that people have taken it seriously."

Plans for the Troy Activity Center include a remodel of the existing auditorium and a science lab, as well as a full size gymnasium with seating for 750 individuals, a concessions area, four locker rooms, a multipurpose room, public restrooms, racquetball courts and a walking track.

Voters are deciding on a $1.8 million bond. The state share will be 43 percent of the cost of the project. The bond will sunset after 15 years. The annual tax increase for a $100,000 home will amount to approximately $35.

If the project is approved, the new activity center will be built in the W.F. Morrison Elementary School area.

Construction will tentatively begin as early as spring 2008 and would be scheduled for completion by fall 2008.

The center will be community accessible, a varsity athletic facility, a multi-use and 50-year facility. The old gym will still be maintained and available for use.

Plans for the Troy Activity Center have undergone a little fine tuning, Selle explained. The Design Committee has been working on refining the project, especially the concessions area.