The Sioux Center City Council approved creating an economic development agreement with the Sioux Center Christian School for the expansion of the school’s facilities.
The planned economic development agreement will include $750,000 over five years, with the school planning a $14.7 million expansion to its Sioux Center campus. The agreement reflects the investment and benefits the expansion will bring to the community, adding to local jobs and creating an additional amenity to bring people to Sioux Center, City Manager Scott Wynja said. The agreement will be allocated from utility funds.
The 50,000-square-foot new addition, called the Blazer Center, will include a multi-purpose performance, athletic, and gathering space; 10 new classrooms; small work rooms for enrichment and support; and a lobby area that provides gathering space. Sioux Center Christian School anticipates an added 10-15 positions at the school.
“It is going to be a project that is going to bring a lot of value long-term to the community,” Councilman John Brantsen said.
Last month, SCCS Head of School Josh Bowar and Board President Greg Van Dyke shared with the council about the school’s contribution to the local economy. SCCS employs 90 people and serves about 1/3 of elementary age children in Sioux Center. The school provides several childcare programs to help serve those needs in the community and has completed more than $18 million in projects in the past decade, Van Dyke said.
The project has an anticipated groundbreaking in late spring 2023.