Gas storm shelter construction on track

GAS — Construction of a community storm shelter here was scheduled to start today.
The shelter will be just southwest of the old Gas School and conveniently close to the parking lot in front of the school. Initial work will be preparing its base and pouring a concrete pad to hold the shelter.
The shelter will be 10 by 30 feet, seven feet tall, and made of quarter-inch steel plate. A vault-type door will be on either end, and large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.
Seats will line each of the longer walls and a third row will be in the middle.
The shelter will cost $54,000, which Gas has in reserve, said Rhonda Hill, city clerk.
The only concern at Tuesday evening’s council meeting was exact location.
A slough runs along the west side of the school, which prompted several council members to say they thought it would be better to move the shelter further east, even onto the parking lot, to avoid the low area. Their fear is the low-lying and often wet area will not provide the best base.
Mayor Darrell Catron, with council members’ blessing, will be on hand to discuss with the construction crew exactly where to place the shelter.
While the shelter, in the works for about two years, is on track, refitting the school as a community center has council members’ attention.
Shoeb Uddin, a civil engineer formerly  with the city of Lawrence, recently surveyed the building.
“He thinks we got a good deal” and that the school can be converted to a community center without too much expense, Catron said.  Gas purchased the school for $1 from USD 257 last year.
Handicap-accessibility has been a concern.
Uddin suggested removing a portion of steps leading into the school and install a platform lift to give easy access for people in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty with steps. A few changes will make a unisex restroom accessible.
Councilman Larry Robertson, a mason, said he would donate his time to reconfigure and enlarge the restroom door, which “probably can be done for $200 to $300.”
The only glaring need is the roof, which leaked in a handful of isolated places with last week’s heavy rainfall.
Catron said Bob Hosack, an independent grant writer from Chanute, plans to attend the council’s May 13 meeting to discuss how major projects, such roof repairs, might be financed.
In other business, council members approved Hill’s purchase of a Dell computer for about $1,000 for City Hall. Also, it was noted that Steve Robb, city superintendent, has returned to work part time. He has been laid up for three months with a severe lung disease.