February 25, 2026
Local NewsState & National

Prep for O-M campus transition underway

1920s portion of the building is coming down

By OABIC
The 2024-25 Orient-Macksburg girls basketball team stands during the national anthem. That season was the last for the Bulldogs, and the gym is just one component of the school campus community leaders are looking at keeping as a vibrant part of the Orient community following O-M's dissolution June 30.

The 2024-25 Orient-Macksburg girls basketball team stands during the national anthem. That season was the last for the Bulldogs, and the gym is just one component of the school campus community leaders are looking at keeping as a vibrant part of the Orient community following O-M's dissolution June 30. (ACFP file photo)

According to a press release from the Orient Area Betterment and Improvement Corporation, a dedicated committee has been established under its umbrella to collaborate with the Orient-Macksburg Community School District’s board and the city of Orient in support of the thoughtful transition and long-term success of the school campus.

This initiative represents a major step forward in preserving the campus while reimagining its role as a vibrant, community-centered events center, community asset, and mixed-use facility.

The committee is currently developing long-term operational strategies, planning upgrades to better serve current and future tenants and evaluating operational costs and leasing rates for usable spaces. In addition, members are working to attract people, events and businesses to activate the campus’s diverse spaces and expand its impact within the community.

Demolition and beautification plans

The 1921 vintage three-story school structure has begun demolition. Following demolition, the site will be seeded, with additional beautification efforts currently in planning stages to improve the appearance and usability of the grounds.The contractor and OABIC are making efforts to salvage bricks from the former school structure for re-use on campus and for fundraising purposes, helping preserve a tangible connection to the site’s history.How you can support the transitionTo support specialty projects, building improvements and ongoing operations, the committee is launching a fundraising campaign. Opportunities for stakeholders, alumni, community members and supporters to invest in the facility’s success will be announced in the coming months. This will include a historic brick campaign where you will have the opportunity to purchase a brick for a dedicated space on campus or for your home. More to come about the preserved bricks soon. Please feel free to leave your contact information at the e-mail address below to be one of the first to know when pricing and ordering instructions are available.

To submit your information, please email oabic@orientiowa.com

Planned upgrades and improvements

Several areas of the facility are slated for upgrades and enhancements to better serve community needs. Space will be marketed for lease, these areas will include office space, former classrooms, events and gymnasium, bus barn and ball fields.

Call to O-M alumni and families

If you are an O-M alumnus, the parent of an alumnus or know an O-M alumnus, you are invited to share updated contact information to stay connected with this project. By providing your current name, former student name, graduation year and email address, you will receive: two to three project updates over the next few months as plans and improvements take shape via invitations with dates and times for a grand opening celebration, information on special events coming to Orient and detailed opportunities for sponsorships and donations supporting the facility’s success.

Organizers will communicate through email, the OABIC website and various social media outlets.