Southside School District opens new multi-million-dollar campus facility

A peek inside the new Southside School Arena (All images provided by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce)

The Southside School District officially opened a new multi-million-dollar campus facility Thursday, marking the completion of a multi-year expansion project that added an arena, practice gym, locker rooms, weight room, and severe-weather safe room to its junior and senior high campus.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce joined administrators, educators, students, community leaders, and supporters on May 21 to celebrate the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Southside campus.

Amanda Roberts, a membership engagement specialist with the chamber, opened the ceremony by setting high expectations.

“Welcome to what is going to be one of the best facilities on a school campus in the state of Arkansas,” Roberts said.

School Board President Eric Lowe reflected on the years of planning and collaboration that brought the project to life.

“It is truly an honor to stand here today and celebrate this incredible addition to our junior and senior high campus,” Lowe said. “We are extremely proud of this facility and excited to see it serve our students, staff and community for many years to come.”

Lowe credited former Superintendent Roger Rich with helping shape the original vision and praised Superintendent Dion Stevens for steering the project through construction and completion. He also pointed to teamwork as the district’s defining strength.

“The success of Southside Schools has always been built on collaboration,” Lowe said. “That teamwork is one of the greatest strengths of this district, and a major reason why Southside continues to grow and improve.”

Clayton Vaden of Lewis Architects Engineers called the project one of the highlights of his career and noted the arena’s potential to host state tournaments, summer camps, and major events while enhancing student experiences in athletics, band, and fine arts.

Adam Seiter, executive vice president of operations with Nabholz Construction, thanked the district for the opportunity.

“A day like today reminds us why we do this,” Seiter said. “It’s exciting to know we were part of creating a building that will impact students and this community for generations to come.”
Stevens credited a community-approved millage increase as essential to making the project a reality.

“Our community said that all students need access to nice facilities, top-notch teachers and a first-class education,” Stevens said. “For that, we are forever grateful.”

Ambassadors in attendance include: Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Abigial Ballard (Lifeplus), Alex McClain (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Brandon Lackey (Southern Bank), Brenda Rivera (First Community Bank), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Eva Henriksen (Citizens Bank), Kirsten Martin (AR Sheriff’s Youth Ranch), Kristen Morgan (FNBC), Micah Richarson (Citizens Bank), Michael Dickinson (City of Batesville), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Nathan Dowen (Citizens Bank), Robert Stephens (Network of Community Options), Sarah Perkins (Mossy Oak Properties) and Sarah York (Southern Bank).