By Joanna Miller, Staff Writer

A joint use agreement to use the McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center (ELC) in Savage will provide “a springboard” for Prior Lake-Savage Area School District students to continue learning in environmental education.

The School Board approved a joint facility use agreement Monday that allows districts 719 and 191 to use the building during the day for environmental education programming. District 191 approved the agreement on Oct. 9.

“We’re really excited about this partnership,” said Superintendent Sue Ann Gruver. “It’s a springboard for our students to continue learning in environmental education.”

Use of the space is free for the district. The district’s only cost would be to cover any damage or repairs from use of the facility. The city of Savage will insure the property.

The Jeffers Foundation made $500,000 donation toward the $2.45 million project contingent upon educational partnerships with both school districts.

Completion of the center is anticipated in two to three weeks, according to Jon Allen, Savage’s parks and natural resources superintendent. The building is LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) certified, and Allen said he’s pleased with the outcome. It will include unique materials, such as countertops made from recycled plastic bottles.

The ELC concept has been considered for the past 20 years, he said. “Patience really has paid off for us,” Allen said. “The Jeffers Foundation really made this happen.”

“The facility is very adaptable,” Allen added. With a moveable classroom partition, up to 75 students can be seated in the main classroom area.

Scheduling between the districts will be coordinated by the city of Savage based upon student populations. The agreement asks the districts to prepare calendars on a six-month basis.

The city of Savage and school districts will meet at least annually to review use of the center.

It’s also possible that District 719’s community education program will partner with the ELC in the future for courses and to fund items it uses at the center.

“We haven’t landed on how or what that’s going to look like,” Gruver said.

Jeffers Pond ELC?

The Jeffers Pond environmental learning center was put on hold due to lack of funding. Negotiations for that project began in 2004 between the city of Prior Lake, District 719 and the Jeffers Foundation.

The stumbling block was a failed referendum in November 2007 for District 719, which would have covered operational costs for that center.

Gruver said there haven’t been any further discussions regarding the Jeffers Pond ELC. She doesn’t anticipate the Jeffers Pond ELC coming back to the board in the near future, she said.

In February 2008, the Jeffers Foundation withdrew a $200,000 conservation easement and $480,000 in matching grants for the estimated $1.4 million center.District 719 had intended to pay $20,000 annually in operating costs and $200,000 for furniture and equipment for the facility under the original plan.The city of Prior Lake had previously committed $280,000 to the project.

The Jeffers Foundation’s initial $500,000 remains available unless the center isn’t built by 2011.

 Joanna Miller can be reached at (952) 345-6375 or jmiller@swpub.com.