Walker Foundation donates grant for pool
Updated April 24, 2:24 p.m.
The Walker Foundation gave a $10 million grant to KHS specifically to build a swimming pool, whose location has not yet been determined. Dr. Michael Havener, principal, announced the news to the school at 2 p.m. today.
This grant is the largest donation to a public school in Missouri history, and the fifth largest donation to a public school in United States history, according to Havener.
“The dream of a pool on our campus has been around longer than I have been teaching,” Havener said. “I am excited for all the students and competitive teams.”
The design and plans for the pool must be approved before construction can begin. This will involve collaboration between KSD administration, physical education teachers, coaches and the Board of Education. Construction will then begin on the pool, to be named the Walker Natatorium, this summer; Havener said it should be ready to open for the 2015-16 school year. The pool will be used for all KHS water sports, including water polo and diving. Water safety classes will also become part of the physical education curriculum, according to Havener.
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Tom Kindra • Apr 23, 2014 at 4:57 pm
I’m not dismissing the incredibly generous donation by the Walker family. It’s an amazing amount of money but aren’t there other ways that 10 Million dollars could be spent to prepare KHS students for the completive world they will be entering into shortly? It’s their money to donate as they choose but they likely took recommendations from the school board. More teachers? Something with more of an academic focus? Stadiums, astro-turf, gyms, bleachers, press-boxes. It seems like the focus lately has been on making KHS a sports club with a little school on the side.
Marie Chappell • Apr 23, 2014 at 4:43 pm
It’s so great that we get the largest donation in the state and we don’t need it. We are already a very privileged school that keeps getting more where as other schools who can barely give their students a good education get nothing. The better schools keep getting better and the poor schools keep getting worse. A pool is nice but not necessary. I feel that if you are going to give a large donation that you should give it to place that actually needs it. In the end it was the Walker Foundation’s decision but I completely disagree with it.