Drawing shows what the Davidson IB Middle School renovation and expansion would look like, from South Street. Existing entrance at right. (Source: CMS / Insight Architects)

Budget woes and the weak financial markets have led county officials to hold off issuing more than $250 million in bonds this year, and that means a delay in the start of the proposed $7 million Davidson Community Center and Davidson IB Middle School renovation project.

Town and school district officials told DavidsonNews.net Wednesday the project will be delayed “at least a year” until the economy and bond markets improve.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools had planned to begin the project at the end of this school year, in June, with a goal of completing it in time for the 2010 school year. The delay means it won’t begin until at least mid-2010, and won’t be ready until 2011 or later.

CMS spokeswoman Cynthia Robbins said the project’s timing is complicated by the fact that it depends on two separate bond issues – one for schools and one for parks and recreation.

“The Davidson IB project will likely be delayed by at last a year, not only because of our bond funding, but because the town likely will need the parks and rec bonds, too,” Ms. Robbins said. “We need all the money in the pot to make it happen.”

Ms. Robbins initially said CMS planned to issue an updated project priority list later Wednesday.  The update is out, though it lists only which projects are under construction and which are in the design stage, and does not  re-prioritize the list. (Download a copy here, PDF.) The school district has said previously it is moving ahead with projects already under construction, such as the new Bailey Road high school in Cornelius. (updated 5:07 p.m. Wed.)

Davidson Mayor John Woods said the county has not yet formally notified the town of a delay in the community center/IB school project. But he said with a bond issue off the table for the moment, “We are facing a delay of at least a year, perhaps, for the whole project.”

Mayor Woods and town Planning Director Kris Krider both said Wednesday county officials have told them there’s a small chance that the county might try to float some bonds in late summer. But the county would have to coordinate issuance of both the school and parks bonds so all the money would be available at the same time.

‘WE’LL MAKE DO’

CMS will have $3.6 million in bond money to pay for its share of the renovations at Davidson IB Middle School, built in 1946. That is expected to include major upgrades to the school’s heating and electrical systems, cafeteria and auditorium.

“We’re disappointed, but we certainly understand, given these economic times,” Jo F. Karney, Davidson IB Middle’s principal, said of the delay. “We will make do, as we have in the past.”

For staff and the 250 students at the school, the renovation project’s delay puts off for another year questions about where they’ll be temporarily during the work. School officials had been considering a couple of options: keeping students in temporary classrooms on the South Street campus or shifting the school temporarily to another site, possibly Long Creek Elementary School off Beatties Ford Road.

For its part, the Town of Davidson is planning to construct a community recreation center attached to the school, including a new modern gymnasium, offices and classrooms for Parks & Rec programs.

In addition to the funding from school and parks ($1.5 million) bonds, the town has assembled funding from several other sources. Davidson United Methodist Church has pledged $1 million in exchange for shared use of the facility. The town will kick in some funding, and town officials say they have grant commitments to cover the rest.

Despite the delay, Mayor Woods said the town remains committed to the community center project. And he said outside sources of funding remain firm. “We have confirmed with those involved in the community center project … that those pledges of participation are sound. They understand the situation and, like us, are eager to proceed,” Mayor Woods said.

Mecklenburg County commissioners decided more than a month ago to put off $253 million in bond issues until next year’s operating budget. At the time, they said the delay would help reduce a projected budget shortfall by reducing debt service costs.

RELATED COVERAGE

Dec. 23, 2008, “IB school planning proceeds, but timing in question.”

Nov. 5, 2008, “Voters approve $250m package of parks bonds.”

Oct. 25, 2008, “Area mayors urge a yes vote on park & rec bonds”

Oct. 23, 2008, “Workshop tonight takes another look at IB school plans.”

Oct. 15, 2008, “Town board endorses county park bonds, urges yes vote.”

Sept. 26, 2008, “Workshop reviews IB school plans; town lines up $1m more.”

Sept. 24, 2008, Town Board votes to build IB school rec center.”

Sept. 19, 2008, “Methodist Church agrees to join rec center project”

Sept. 12, 2008, “Planning workshop Sept. 24-25 for IB School project”

Sept. 3, 2008, “Bond package would help fund rec center, other projects”

May 28, 2008, “Board studies rec center plan, but hurdles remain.”