That school district received plan approval and a grant from its state legislature for twice the money it requested for the construction of five Monolithic Domes.
For its 400 students and 30 teachers, Grand Meadow’s approved plan included five Monolithic Domes: 81,000 square feet for classrooms, media center, gymnasium, cafeteria and multipurpose center with a stage.
Architect Rick Crandall produced a feasibility study that illustrated the dome layout and enabled people to see how the school would function.
Superintendent Klaehn said, “This will be the safest building for your children to be in. We’ll be in a community where school is the building you want your children in, not where you want to get them out of.”
Grade 5 teacher Judy Thumann told about the feeling of unity the domes inspire and how fortunate she and the other teachers feel in having this new dome facility.
Ms. Thumann said that having a central activity area makes a welcome difference, since teachers can now schedule more activities that require lots of space.
Student Council President Kelli Petzel said that she and the other students really liked the new gym, the parking lot and the “cool pop machines.”
It’s equipped for a full range of school athletics, activities and special events.
Grand Meadow’s gym features pull-out bleachers, locker rooms, a regulation size basketball court and two cross-court practice goals.
In 2004, Superintendent Klaehn produced the informational DVD, “Monolithic Dome School Construction.” It’s a must-see for any school district thinking about building.
In 2007, Grand Meadow Superintendent Brown told the Minnesota Legislature about the low energy costs of their Monolithic Dome facility.
