Hudson School District looking for ideas on new school pbuilding

Talk about it

HUDSON - It’s been two months since the Hudson City Council said no to using the old Saint Croix Meadows dog track for a new school. Now, school district officials say they’re open to alternative ideas – and they’re letting folks comment online through the end of the month.

Also, ideas will be taken at two informational meetings on November 29th and December sixth. And the Hudson School Board will narrow down the options later next month.

The dog track was among five racing outlets that popped up in Wisconsin, after voters approved pari-mutuel betting in the late 1980’s. Indian casinos came later – and their popularity caused all five dog tracks to shut down. In April, Hudson school voters approved funding to buy the old track. But the city killed the idea in September, saying it would result in a major loss of property tax revenues – especially if a commercial development goes there in the future. School officials say they badly need space.

Hudson’s middle school is over capacity, and the high school is full. A school at the old dog track could have accommodated up to 2,500 students.

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