FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Marion County Board of Education has announced plans to put the 5th Street Gymnasium facility up for auction.
Marion County Schools Superintendent Donna Heston says the facility is currently used by several youth basketball leagues, and the Fairmont Senior High School baseball program is operated from the facility.
“We’ve had several individuals reach out to us with interest in participating in the auction for the 5th Street Gym, and they’ve expressed their interest in it,” Heston said.
In October, the board approved the sale of the White School to a behavior evaluation firm that plans to maintain some services for students and families in Marion County Schools.
“We are working in ways, like we have with the other properties, to fold that programming into our current facilities and be able to auction off that third property,” Heston said.
Heston and the BOE hope the 5th Street Gymnasium sale will end at the White School with a transfer of some services. If that is not the case, Heston said he will work to identify new locations to continue the activities.
“Our intent and hope is that they will still go and be purchased by a buyer that will provide services in collaboration with Marion County Schools, but certainly in support of our youth, families, and community,” Heston said.
The district maintains 21 schools and 23 facilities, and the 5th Street Gymnasium will be the third property auction of the year. The sale of the aging Meadowdale Elementary School was approved after the completion of a new $1.5 million wing at East Dale Elementary School, funded by the School Building Authority.
“The Marion County Board of Education has done a wonderful job, particularly in the last several years of carefully looking at our budget and minimizing expenditures, maximizing support for students, and making reductions when we can.”
Proceeds from the sale of the properties are being put into property maintenance costs in the district.