Unexpected addition at school worries West Des Moines neighbors
An unexpected addition at a West Des Moines school has neighbors worried.
Maribeth Roemmich has lived near Fairmeadows Elementary School for 30 years. She says she enjoys the serenity of summer and hearing the kids play at recess when autumn rolls around. Now she's concerned both of those experiences will be gone.
Just a few weeks ago, construction trucks began taking trees down and digging a large pit. A concerned Roemmich was stunned when a worker told her they were building a retention pond.
"It was just a shock because this is where the kids play, this is where they have their recess, this is where a lot of activity happens... I've been listening to kids play on this property for thirty years," she said.
Her biggest concern was for the safety of the kids.
West Des Moines Development Coordinator Linda Schemmel says it's a city requirement that Fairmeadows must comply with as they continue construction on the property throughout their 10-year plan. The plan includes a new gymnasium, updated classrooms, additional music rooms and more.
"As part of this project, the school not only made the decision to become in compliance with the new edition and paving they're adding, but to make the entire site meet with current regulations... the school was originally constructed in 1960, and that was way before we had regulations on stormwater management," said Schemmel.
To ease safety concerns, Schemmel advised that the retention pond is not intended to fill up with water, but rather intended to slow it down.
We also talked with Fairmeadows Elementary, who say that the safety of its student is the number one priority and if needed, they will add signage and fencing.