Lamar schools to take over former Barton County hospital

Barton County commissioners have offered the Lamar R-1 School District a chance to purchase the old Barton County Memorial Hospital building for $1.

Commissioners presented the R-1 school board with the opportunity on Dec. 20, during a regular board meeting. During the presentation they offered the two-story, 52,000-square-foot facility at the block of First and Gulf streets in Lamar to the board if it could be put to good use by the district. The structure was originally built in 1949 and has since been improved with remodels and additions, some within the last 15 years.

R-1 school board members toured the recently vacated facility on Friday, Dec. 28, accompanied by the Barton County Commission and Steven Gilbert, who is the hospital's maintenance supervisor. Barton County District 2 Commissioner John Stockdale said the building is in relatively good condition and the school seems interested in the offer. The school board will be bringing in a third party to evaluate the structure and is expected to make a decision within 60 days as to whether or not they can justify owning the large building.

Prior to offering the building to Lamar schools, the commission proposed a similar plan to the Veterans Administration, hoping to see the facility transformed into a veterans clinic and hospital. However, this proposal was rejected by the VA.

Stockdale was unable to comment as to what options would be pursued if the school did not take the old hospital, but said he was hoping to keep the facility in the hands of local owners.