Temple ISD held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday afternoon for the opening of its new $1.6 million ag-science facility, which houses barnyard animals and will serve as a classroom for about 200 students involved in agriculture or animal science classes.
“As someone who grew up on a farm, I can tell you I’m excited about this,” said TISD superintendent Dr. Robin Battershell. “I think this is a wonderful addition to our district, and I’m excited to be here.”
The old ag-science facility that the district used was outdated, according to district officials, who said it was an older warehouse that was renovated to hold a small amount of animals.
The new facility, located to the north of the Temple High School campus, features two open-air barn sections, complete with animal pens, which currently house hogs, sheep and goats.
“I think it will probably be another month before we’re completely where we want to be with having all of the animals it can handle in (the new facility),” said ag-science teacher Brian Kopriva.
“The new facility is so much better,” Kopriva said. “It’s going to be a great instrument for the kids. It’s really a top-of-the line structure.”
Kopriva teaches animal science classes, which are often held at the ag-science facility so students can interact with the animals and work on projects like vaccinations, feeding, grooming and maintenance.
“With the way it opens up, with the air flow, it’s perfect for the animals,” he said. “We’re going to be able to bring more animals in as well, like chickens and rabbits, because it contains areas specially built to house them.”
The facility also features an open section for animal trailer storage, restrooms, water fountains and water troughs. Several Temple FFA members were on hand for the opening, cutting the ribbon while teachers looked on.
TISD director of planning and operations Max Cleaver said planning for the facility began in June 2006, and the district began to take bids for construction following the $19.9 million bond passed by voters in 2007. Ground broke on the project earlier this spring.
“We basically went to our ag-science instructors and asked them what they would like a new facility to look like and contain,” Cleaver said. “We had them do some basic drawings and looked at their requests.”
The new facility is pretty close to what many of them wanted, he said.
“It was a very exciting undertaking and process,” he said.
