ST. CLOUD - The St. Cloud area school district is moving to repair and add-on to the Roosevelt building this year.

The school was heavily damaged by a fire last June.

The plan is to repair and add-on to the remaining building for about 7,000 feet of additional space. Most of the additions would be on the east side of the building.

The district wants to start work this spring and hopes to have the building done by the end of December.

District 742 executive director of business services, Kevin Januszewski says the rough estimated cost is about $2 million. The district will be able to pay for a good portion of the project using bond money that was intended to convert steam boilers to hot water boilers. The boilers were destroyed during the fire, freeing up the money.

Januszewski says the district will take bids for a contractor to start the work.

The gymnasium will have the smoke and water damage fixed. Januszewski says the neighboring Boys and Girls Club will be able to use the gym if needed. The Club is also fundraising to build their own gym at the site.  

The updated building will become an alternative site for kids with disabilities. The early childhood programs won't return to the building.

Roosevelt was previously home for early childhood services and included programs like children special education, early childhood family education, district preschool and early childhood assessment. The district has moved most of Roosevelt’s programs into Colts’ Academy.

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