With the original Rochester Primary School’s gym finally safe to enter after years of asbestos risk, the Rochester School District is asking the community for proposals on uses for the gym.
The gym was originally part of Rochester Primary School building, which has been part of the Rochester community since 1936, according to the school district.
“Many longtime Rochester residents attended school in the building and participated in gym classes in the gym space,” the Rochester School District said in a news release.
The school building now houses the school district office, while the gym behind the main building has been closed for years due to asbestos.
The Rochester School District recently removed the asbestos from the gym and replaced the building’s roof, making it safe to enter, according to a news release.
“The district unfortunately does not have any additional funds to renovate the space, but we believe the community/community-based organization may have a vision for it,” the district said in a news release.
The district will collect proposals for uses of the original gym through Jan. 5. The Rochester School Board will review all submitted proposals in January and February before deciding how to proceed with use of the building, according to a news release.
Whatever proposal the district goes with, the building will remain the property of the district and a use/rental agreement will be put in place, according to the news release.
“The building will need updates such as lighting, heating, restrooms, windows, etc. … However, it is a beautiful and structurally sound building,” the district said in a news release.
For more information and to submit a proposal, visit https://tinyurl.com/3uhx3b9n.
