Accomplishing more through partnerships could have been the slogan for the Oelwein Area Enrichment Center. The greater community of Oelwein envisioned a new facility to improve and enhance life for their residents. This new building would house under one roof a performing arts center, wellness and fitness center, early childhood center, community college classrooms and expanded high school classrooms. Achieving this ambitious goal would require the partnership though of many diverse groups including the following: Oelwein Community Schools, City of Oelwein, Oelwein Area Economic Development Foundation, Northeast Iowa Community College, Covenant Hospital, and Upper Exploreland Regional Planning Commission.

After thorough planning and cooperation among the partners, all of the different areas were fitted together into one building. By connecting to the existing High School, the Enrichment Center and School were able to take advantage of each services without duplicating spaces. This was a perfect example of a school and community achieving a synergistic effect of providing more than what any one group could achieve.

A low budget combined with the desire to include an energy efficient geothermal heat pump system demanded a creative approach to the construction design. FRK greatly reduced cost by minimizing the masonry required. This was accomplished using steel stud exterior walls, exterior metal panels, and a pre-engineered metal building for the wellness center. The building was constructed under budget with a geothermal system and over 6,000 sf of additional space was added to the Early Childhood Center and Wellness Center.

Location:
Oelwein, Iowa

Owner:
City of Oelwein, Oelwein Community School District

Size: 69,232 SF Addition

Completed:
2002

Cost per SF:
$78.90

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Floor Plan

Performing Arts Center

Wellness Center