The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1920-04-22
SCHOOL HOUSE
PLANS ACCEPTED
Minneapolis Architects Confer With
Board of Education and Agree
ment is Reached
SPECIFICATIONS READY SOON

SPECIFICATIONS READY SOON
Will Begin Work on Magnificent
Building in Few Weeks
c. E. Bell of Minneapolis, senior
member of the firm of Bell and Kin
ports, who have been retained by the
board of education as architects Of
the new school building, was in Cakes
Tuesday with the complete prelim-
mary plans for the building. They
were accepted by the board, and the
architects were authorized to proceed
with the final plans and specifications
as rapidly as possible.
The plans call for a building that
will be constant source of pride to
the city when completed. It will be
built on the school block, facing the
city park, in order to obtain the east
and west light, which is pronounced
most desirable by the authorities.
The exterior Of the building will be
plain, but artistic. Construction is to
be of brick, trimmed with terra Gotta.
On the ground floor provision will
be made for a manual training work
room, a lumber and tool room, fin
ishing room, and room for mechanical
drawing. The other wing will house
a complete home economics depart
ment, with sewing and fitting rooms,
pantry and kitchen. In the central
portion will be a large library room,
a classroom, and fine gymnasium.
The gymnasium will provide a play
ing floor 40x70, with a spacious gal
lery for spectators, and ceiling of
standard height for basket ball and
gymnasium equipment. Shower and
locker rooms for boys and girls COM
municate directly with the gymnasium
floor.
On the first floor are to be located
six classrooms for the lower grades,
with cloakrooms opening directly
from each. Over the gymnasium is
the junior high school auditorium, or
assembly room, which has stage
large enough for the presentation of
school plays and programs, and a
small gallery in the rear to accom-
modate the overflow of the spectators
and provide place for moving pic
ture and stereopticon booth. The su-
perintendent's Offices, vault, bookroom,
and two recitation rooms are also to
be on this floor.
The second floor will have COM
modious study room for the senior
high school, with a reference room in
connection. Science laboratories and
lecture room, several recitation rooms,
and commercial department with
its bookkeeping and typewriting
rooms are also located on this floor.
Ample toilet facilities are provided
in the building, as we'll as rest rooms
for the teachers, high school princi-
pals Office, janitor's supply room,
and other smaller features. The boil
er room is out from under the build
ing, to facilitate the handling of coal
and ashes, and reduce the danger of
fire. All halls and stairways are to
be of fireproof construction.
The building will be ventilated by
the most modern fan system, and
lighted to conform to all the school
building requirements.
1t is so arranged that the library
or the gymnasium can be opened for
use in the evenings without giving
access to other parts of the building.
Bell and Imports were selected by
the board because of the strong rec
concentrations they were given by
other cities where they had construct
ed schools and other public buildings,
such as court houses, and two state
capitols-South Dakota and Montana.
The school they have designed for
Oakes will enhance their reputation,
for it is a fine one.
There has been some delay in float
ing the bonds, but arrangements have
been made, and it is the intention Of
the board to start building operations
just as soon as the preliminary red
tape can be untangled.
When finally completed, this mag
nificent building, which Oakes has
been waiting for and needing SO long,
will cost $240,000.00. Plans will be
completed in two or three weeks, after
which thirty days must elapse while
the board of education advertises for
bids. With ordinary good fortune, the
work of construction will commence
the latter part of June or the first Of
July, and it is planned to have the
building enclosed before snow flies,
though it will not be ready for occu-
pancy this year.
According to members Of the board,
the present plans call for building
which will be ample to care for pres
ent needs, but will have to be en-
larged in few years if school at
tendance maintains its present rapid
growth. The architects have borne
this in mind, and additions can be
made from time to time without de-
stroying the symmetry of the build
ing.
Norwegian Lutheran services in
Clement April 25th at II O'Clock, and