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Eagle Bond Ancillary Projects

Indoor Practice Facility

Proposed New Construction

The proposed “Talon Center” will be an 90,000 square-foot facility including a 90-yard field plus endzones, locker rooms, weight rooms, classrooms, storage rooms, community room, dance room, and more. The structure would be built on the campus of Joplin High School, and support activities for nearly every student in the district. It provides an enclosed, temperature-controlled activity and practice area for dozens of district programs including:

Athletic Programs: 

  • Indoor training space for football, track and field, cheerleading, dance, baseball, soccer, softball, and more.

Marching Band & Auxiliary Groups: 

  • Large, open indoor spaces will allow full ensemble rehearsals, visual block practice, choreography, and sectional work no matter the weather.

Beyond Athletics: 

  • The facility will support physical education classes, and numerous other extracurricular activities such as archery, robotics, powerlifting, youth leagues, and community events.

Architectural rendering of the JHS "Talon Center" building, a preliminary model. The building exterior matches design elements of the main JHS building.

 

A preliminary plan for the JHS "Talon Center" shows a detailed indoor layout including a large practice field, dedicated practice rooms, weight rooms, locker rooms, and more.

Why is an Indoor Facility on the Ballot?

We are incredibly proud of what’s available to students at Joplin High School, and are working to ensure enough space for EVERY program our students participate in, all year long. Through extensive research, including staff, parent, and community feedback, the Long Range Facility Committee has recommended this facility as a way to alleviate the current overcrowding of spaces dedicated to co-curricular and extra-curricular activities at Joplin High School. The indoor facility will support educational spaces as well as activity and community spaces, providing opportunities for middle and high school students during all weather and in all seasons.

Space Constraints at Joplin High School

  • In the fall alone, Joplin High School supports 12 athletic programs that need indoor practice space during extreme heat and bad weather—space our current facilities can’t meet.
  • Each summer, 400–500 students in grades 7–12 use weights and conditioning daily, forcing Gym #3 to serve as a temporary weight room and limiting other uses.
  • Cheer and dance teams are displaced year-round, practicing in temporary or unsuitable spaces due to limited indoor facilities and gym access.
  • Off-season conditioning and skills trainings often spill into hallways or instructional areas, reducing safety and effectiveness.
  • Baseball and softball share a single indoor gym; when weather moves them inside, other teams are displaced and schedules tighten.
  • Our current locker rooms are overcrowded, forcing some students to share lockers.

Extracurricular Impacts on Academic Success

In Joplin Schools, we encourage every student to join a club, activity, sport, or group that will boost their educational experience and grow them into the best versions of themselves. In fact, one annual accreditation measure on which our district is monitored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education depends on how well we provide, support, and encourage extracurricular activities for every student.

This is because extracurricular activities are crucial for academic success and belonging. Student involvement in activities enhances time management skills, self discipline, and cognitive focus while reducing stress for our students. Studies indicate participants often have higher GPAs, improved attendance, and stronger college prospects due to increased engagement, leadership development, and stronger, more tangible connections between classroom learning and real-world application.

We’re proud to provide the opportunities and to see so many students taking advantage of them; now we are seeking the space to adequately support those opportunities for every student who wants to participate, now and in the future.

All-Purpose Indoor Spaces for Academics, Arts, Athletics and More

These are all of the groups currently sharing indoor space at Joplin High School, overflowing capacity in gyms, fields, practice rooms, corridors, and weight rooms.

Fall Use

  • During School hours: Physical Education classes, FTC Events, JROTC, Band, School Ceremonies, Testing Events
  • Morning/Afternoon practices for In-Season Sports (during inclement weather or heat): Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Football, Girls Golf, Boys Soccer, Softball, Girls Tennis, Cheer, Dance, Volleyball (2 gyms)
  • Pre-Season practices: Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Girls Wrestling, Boys Wrestling, Speed School
  • Evenings/Weekends/Events: Eagle Baseball Club, Crush Softball, Band and Aux. Groups, JSA Events, Joplin Youth Football Association, Joplin Youth Cheer Association, YMCA Youth Programs, FTC Events.

Winter Use

  • During School hours: Physical Education classes, FTC Events, JROTC, Band, School Ceremonies, Testing Events
  • Morning/Afternoon practices for In-Season Indoor Sports: Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Girls Wrestling, Boys Wrestling, Cheer, Dance
  • Pre-Season practices: Girls Soccer, MS Softball, Boys Tennis, Speed School, Baseball, Track, Boys Golf
  • Evenings/Weekends/Events: JROTC, Eagle Baseball Club, Crush Softball, Drumline, Color Guard, JSA Events, Joplin Youth Basketball Association, Joplin Youth Wrestling Association, YMCA Youth Programs, FTC Events, Robotics, Power Lifting, Archery, Esports.

Spring Use

  • During School hours: Physical Education classes, FTC Events, JROTC, Band, School Ceremonies, Testing Events
  • Morning/Afternoon practices for In-Season Sports (during inclement weather): MS Softball, Baseball, Girls Soccer, Girls Track, MS Track, Boys Golf, Boys Tennis, Boys Track
  • Pre-Season practices: Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Football, Girls Golf, Boys Soccer, Speed School, Softball, Girls Tennis, Cheer, Dance, Volleyball (2 gyms)
  • Evenings/Weekends/Events: Graduation, JROTC, FTC Events, Eagle Baseball Club, Esports, Bright Futures, Robotics, Philanthropic Society, Band and Aux Groups, Orchestra.

Summer Use

  • Weights & Conditioning: JHS serves as the home for all summer weightlifting and conditioning for 7th-12th grade students-athletes, equaling about 500 students per day. Gym #3 is converted into a makeshift weight room to accomodate the number of lifters, further restricting available indoor space for activity programming.
  • In-Season Activities: All 22 JHS sports plus 11 Middle School sports are allowed 20 contact days in the summer. Many times due to heat or inclement weather, outside sports are forced inside. Currently, many JHS programs are forced to use off-campus facilities due to extreme numbers of summer events in the gyms. Band is also very active in the summer and is in need of indoor practice space during heat and inclement weather.
  • Evenings/Weekends/Events: Joplin Youth Cheer Association, Band and Aux Groups, JSA Events, Baseball Camp, Tennis Camp, Football Camp, Softball Camp, Wrestling Camp, Basketball Camp, Soccer Camp, etc.

Junge Campus Improvements

An aerial view of Junge Stadium and Junge Field, including the BGT parking lot and a few buses.

Proposed Junge Campus Improvements

Building, Grounds & Transportation

  • Addition for restrooms and meeting space in a building that houses about 100 staff members daily.
  • Move gas pump in stadium parking to secure area.
  • Add concrete bus parking areas.

Junge Stadium

  • Renovate original stadium locker rooms and restrooms.
  • Add visitor locker rooms, restrooms, and concessions on east side of field.