Just read that Putnam City Schools used eminent domain to take the Elks property on N. Tulsa between 50th & 39th.

They plan to build an new elementary school to replace Arbor Grove, which is the old Central Elementary. Not sure what their plans are with the old school but it seems likely it will be demolished as well.

My dad was an Elk in the 60's and 70's and we went their for dinners and dances. They also have a big pool and playground behind the lodge.

I understand they have bought land to build a new facility just south of the Taco Bell off of Northwest Expressway and east of MacArthur.

http://elks.org/SharedElksOrg/lodges/images/0417_Lodge2.jpg

http://elks.org/SharedElksOrg/lodges/images/0417_MainHall.jpg

http://elks.org/SharedElksOrg/lodges/images/0417_Pool4.jpg

I believe PC schools owns the vacant land at the SE corner of N MacArthur and Hefner Road. I understood it was planned for a new elementary school years ago but nothing has ever been done with it.

Here is that Elks property:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/elks.jpg

My mom plays Bingo there every Saturday.

I believe this property is now demolished because there was a $12 million building permit issued for the new Arbor Grove Elementary which will be on this site:


http://www.putnamcityschools.org/Portals/0/Arbor-Grove-web-site-plan.jpg

http://www.putnamcityschools.org/Portals/0/images/Arbor-Grove-web-floor-plan.jpg

http://www.putnamcityschools.org/Portals/0/images/Arbor-Grove-web-front-entrance-looking-west.jpg

http://www.putnamcityschools.org/Portals/0/images/Arbor-Grove-web-interior-looking-south.jpg

Dang . . .
Up in Boulder, Colorado The Elks retreated from their "refubished bowling alley/lodge" across the street from the "Boulderado Hotel"/"County Courthouse" to a new facility far north of town. Where the city fathers decided to jump on the political correctness bandwagon of the mid-60's in opposition of "racial membership requirements" and the availability of city water . . . well . . . The Elks dug a well.

I was about the age of the kid in the "rendering".
I thought the whole "Elks Club" thing was only slightly less confusing than "The Masons".

Kudos to The Planners!
Hope The Elks can continue to contribute.
Especially the B.P.O.E. part of the Elks.
(not to be confused with the I.O.O.F.)

Frankly, it is better for children to be brainwashed in facilities that don't try to hide slot machines and card games in the basement. =)

I trust that The Big One World MapMural on every vertical surface of the new elementary school facility will equal that on the cafeteria wall of "the learning environment" the grandkids in Minneapolis are treated to.

Just out of curiosity . . .
Is "Arbor Grove" redundant, oxymoronic or just lame?

And why are The Architects giving the young-uns a failed, dated, indoor Crossroadsesque/QuailSpringsmallian version of an education facility? =)