District spends $21,025 on wrestling room

CLINTONVILLE – The Clintonville Board of Education approved spending $21,025 to create a wrestling room for its wrestling program to practice in.
At its May 27 meeting, the board approved spending $12,275 for a tapeless competition wrestling mat, and $8,750 for wall padding for the room. At previous meetings, the board had heard from parents, coaches, and district administration about the need for a dedicated practice space for the wrestling program that would not interfere with people using the Rec Center.
Leading off the discussion, Clintonville Superintendent Troy Kuhn told the board the proposed purchase is not in this year’s budget for the school district.
“I was 100% against this, but now that I’ve talked to people and understand the other points of view, I think this is the right move,” Kuhn said. “Maybe it’s temporary. Maybe it’s long-term. But if we’re going to do it, we need to make sure the safety is done correct.”
Kuhn said the district will need to install the wall padding in the new wrestling room.

To create the wrestling room, Kuhn said the old wrestling mats will be cut to fit the floor of the room.
“So, we’re not paying for the floor mats (for the wrestling room),” Kuhn said.
He acknowledged that the circles on the mats will be in the wrong spots with this plan, but despite that, the mats can still be used in the room.
Cutting up the mat, though, Kuhn said the district would be one mat short. He said the district could purchase a brand-new competition mat which is easier to put together and store.The new mat being purchased would be used for wrestling meets hosted by the district.
“We’ll have two brand-new competition mats, and we’ll have a wrestling room all for $21,000,” Kuhn said.
“It’s way better to do it this way than to have them install the flooring,” Kuhn said.
Board Vice President Kris Strauman asked if the district has a strong wrestling program.
Kuhn said the wrestling program is strong, and will probably be larger next year with the introduction of girls wrestling.
Board President Glen Drew Lundt asked where the wrestling competitions will be held in the district.
Kuhn said either at the high school or middle school gym.