SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye Public School Superintendent John Cselovszki told the school board Wednesday that interest surveys for a proposed city-school recreation/fine arts facility will be mailed to Dist. 84 residents and landowners next week.

In March, Cselovszki presented an architectural drawing of the proposed facility to the Sleepy Eye City Council. The city council unanimously approved spending up to $5,000 for a $10,000 survey by the school district to determine public interest in the project.

“We’re asking people for their opinion about the building project. The survey describes what we propose and asks for comments on it. This will help our board decide if we have support to move forward with the project. Survey results will be shared with the board at a November or December meeting,” Cselovszski said.

He talked with the mayor (Wayne Pelzel) about a recreation center with day care last winter.

“The mayor asked me for a wish list that the city and school could use. I think everybody is interested in it. The project benefits the city and supports local businesses. We’re talking about what’s best of everybody. These plans are not set in stone. They’re just an idea. If the community shows interest, we form committees and decide exactly what we want,” said Cselovszki.

He said a performing arts center (auditorium) with 450-600 seats has been on the school wish list since he came to Sleepy Eye in 2009.

Other building project amenities include a recreation center, locker rooms, weight room and middle school classrooms just west of the elementary school.

Cselovszki said the project could be aided by the Ag2School tax credit for farm land and grants could be used to pay for a good share of the project that could be the subject of a future tax levy vote.

Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston said the City of Sleepy Eye does not have the capacity for more debt now but that the City is interested in working with the school district on the project.

The school board unanimously accepted anonymous donations of $2,000 to the Sleepy Eye FFA and $5,000 in honor of the Sleepy Eye High School Class of 1959.