T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Iowa Valley Community College Chancellor Kristie Fisher tells the board of directors at the regular Wednesday meeting about the plans now that the $32 million bond was approved by voters.

Iowa Valley Community College is moving forward with priorities for the use of a $32 million bond referendum passed last month.

At its regular meeting at Marshalltown Community College on Wednesday, Chancellor Kristie Fisher told the board of directors that residents in communities who passed the Nov. 5 referendum have been asking what the plans are for the money.

Some early efforts were creating principles regarding the use of the bond funds:

• Prioritize timing for projects based on needs and an understanding of contingencies.

• Take a district-wide approach to planning and executing the bond issue projects on the three campuses during a three- or four-year timeframe.

• Minimize disruption to teaching, learning and serving the communities.

• Manage the multiple construction projects to ensure that quality work is received for a fair price.

Fisher told the board that requests for architectural firms to serve as overseer of the bond projects went out Dec. 6 and so far 13 have requested the board’s consideration.

“We’re going to need somebody who has done a lot of renovations and who’s been able to take existing space and update it and make it sustainable,” she said. “So, I think we’re anxious to see that work. That is due Jan. 10 and then we will have the last week of January set for interviews.”

Rather than advertise the full $32 million bond in the request for proposals, Fisher said they are limiting it to $21 million. IVCC is reserving the right to include additional projects.

“There’s some projects we wanted to hold out in case we decide to do them without an architect,” she said.

One example Fisher provided is the continuing education space which only needs a facelift, so an architect would not be necessary.

Treasurer Kathleen Pink told the board some firms expressed desires in visiting the campuses, which will take place next week before Christmas break.

Visits have been arranged at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls on Monday and at MCC on Wednesday. Pink said the effort is to get all interested parties together for the visits because doing multiple tours and showings with the holidays so close is a challenge.

IVCC will choose a firm at the February meeting. In March, the board will approve a budget which will include the money from the bond. Then, a short-term construction manager will be hired.

“We’re going to save a lot of money by having somebody out there daily on projects, trying to stay on top of it,” Fisher told the board.

IVCC officials are in the process of prioritizing the bond projects. Fisher said from a programming standpoint, they have divided the projects into thirds – year one, year two and year three.

“The two things we know that will happen very early is the new dorm rooms up at Ellsworth,” she said. “Here at MCC, we know we need to get the marketing space done going in to the old child care center so that frees up the space for us to do work in the library.”

Also, a Bond Advisory Committee will be established with representation from across the district.

“We did not let our foot off the gas at all from the moment we made our presentations to jumping right in on the bond issue,” she said. “The tax payers trusted us with the money and we’re going to be good stewards of their dollars. We’re going to make sure we get the absolute most we can for the money.”

In other business:

• Board member Chris Brodin told the board he would like to see IVCC look into ways to grow the sports offerings. He brought up e-sports, which is a form of sporting competition using video games. The provost of Marshalltown Community College, Robin Lilienthal, said e-sports is intriguing as it is new. She said with the school renovating the computer labs as a result of the bond referendum there is potential for an e-sports team to be accommodated. Some other sports Lilienthal said could be considered is women’s soccer and cross country.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.​