Lorain Schools to purchase former Slovenian Club

LORAIN — The former Slovenian Club may see a second life with Lorain Schools. The school board unanimously approved purchasing the Pearl Avenue building for $40,000 at a special meeting Tuesday. Superintendent Jeff Graham said the plan, as long as the building passes inspection and the purchase moves forward, is to use the space for the county's winter clothing program. Operation Share the Warmth will provide up to 4,500 eligible students in the county with $225 each in free cold-weather-appropriate clothing including sweatshirts, hats, gloves and new winter coats. The program is funded by approximately $1 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, funds through an agreement with the Lorain County commissioners and Job and Family Services. "As we bring in more services, we need more space," Graham said. The $40,000 to purchase the building will be paid out of the district's general fund, he said, but hoped any necessary improvements like sectioning the more than 5,000-square-foot space off could be done with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. Using ESSER funds will require state approval, he said. The board also appropriated $1.8 million in ESSER funds for upgrades to Campana Park. In 2021, the city and school district agreed to split the cost for improvements to Campana Park so the school's varsity baseball and softball teams could use the Pipe Yard. When originally approved, Lorain Schools' upgrades were estimated at about $1.3 million, including work to the baseball field and concession stand and building a varsity softball field to comply with Title IX requirements. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, that cost has grown to $1.8 million on the district's side. This spring the city received $1.6 million from the National Park Service for the Meister Road complex, and will still pledge about $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to rehab the seven smaller fields and facilities to build a baseball program for younger children in the city, as well as installing new soccer fields and rehabbing the parking lots. Mayor Jack Bradley said the overall project is expected to cost about $5 million — prior to COVID-19 it was under $4 million. The city was able to stay within its budget for the basic facility requirements thanks to the National Park Service grant, he said, and expects to work with the district to get more wish list items like turf fields completed. The Lorain Schools Board of Education also unanimously approved reappointing Treasurer Tia Kearney to her post through at least July 31, 2028. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.