Community education director seeks to open Holdingford schools' fitness center to public

Amanda McDonough, the district's Community Education Director, told the Holdingford Public School District School Board on Feb. 4 that community members had asked for the high school fitness center to be "open to the public." McDonough said she surveyed the community and found overwhelming support and discussed models used by nearby districts.

Board members asked questions about operational details and potential impact on local businesses. McDonough told the board she had heard concerns from the town's fitness business owners but said the equipment types and clientele appeared different. She thanked the board for its input and said she would return with a detailed plan.

The board gave consensus direction for the Community Education office to develop a final plan that details access policies, hours, staffing and any fee or membership structure. No formal motion or vote was recorded; the board asked staff to include financial and operational implications for residents in the next report.

Next steps: Community Education will prepare a detailed proposal for a future meeting, including recommended rules, hours and any required agreements with outside groups.