The city of Los Alamitos presented a check for $300,000 to the Los Alamitos School District at their Nov. 13 board meeting to assist with the renovation of Oak Middle School Gymnasium and athletic fields.
The money will be approximately one-third of the cost to renovate the gym. The plan also calls for the installation of a new public restroom at the facility that will serve not only gym patrons, but those who use the athletic fields.
The city and other organizations offer activities that used the gym and fields. It is estimated that up to 8,000 people rotate through field areas on Friday nights during the flag football and cheerleading activities.
The city was a partner with the school district when the gym and school were building the gym and this is an extension of that agreement and joint usage. City Council member Marilynn Poe was part of a group of city representatives at the meeting to present the check. Poe noted this was a move to improve the future of the community.
“We see this as another once in a lifetime opportunity, for the next lifetime,” Poe said.
Also representing the city were Council member Gerri Graham-Mejia and City Manager Angie Avery. Avery said the city is thrilled to continue to work with the school district to improve facilities that serve the community.
“I think this is all about the future,” Avery said.
Los Alamitos Unified School District has been renovating its schools as part of the Measure K bond that was passed in 2008.
While the gymnasium is on school property, the school district does not own the gym, so was not obligated to used Measure K money on the renovation. The city, county and Youth Center will contribute to the renovation.
“We are extremely pleased and overjoyed to receive this donation toward this project,” stated Superintendent Sherry Kropp.