The culmination of years of work, multiple board meetings and community voter support was celebrated on Wednesday, September 25th on the campus of La Grande Middle School. The Grand Opening of the district’s new Wildcat Center was a positive event attended by about 175 people. There were tours of the new facility, speeches and an official ribbon cutting supported by the La Grande Chamber of Commerce.
Superintendent George Mendoza said, “It’s an exciting day and I woke up very happy to finally have this day here.” He thanked the LGSD school board, teachers, staff, families and the community for their strong support to bring this day to fruition. Mendoza also thanked Mike Becker Construction for all of their hard work on the project as well as Chris Panike, former business manager for the district, who was heavily involved in the bond financing work.
As members of the public toured the building and enjoyed cookies baked by the La Grande High School culinary class, the sentiment was one of awe at how large and beautiful the new Wildcat Center is and the opportunities for P.E. space, academic space and many other possibilities for learning.
The facility has three gyms, six classrooms, locker rooms, visiting team rooms, a mezzanine overlooking the gyms, three digital scoreboards and offices. It is available for community use.
Chris Wagner, Principal at La Grande Middle School, said he is very thankful for the Wildcat Center. “It’s great that we get to walk into this building every day – the functionality of it, the beauty of it – and know what it means for our kids now and in the future, which never ceases to impress me.”
The facility was built with funding from the school district’s General Obligation bond passed by voters in May 2022 and a state grant from the OSCIM (Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching) program. The groundbreaking for the Wildcat Center was in June 2023.
Watch a short clip of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony:
LGSD Board Chair Danelle Lindsey
Mike Becker of Mike Becker Construction