Former Karns City elementary school set to be demolished
Karns City Area School District is preparing to demolish the former Sugarcreek Elementary School next year for new athletic space, but at least one person is interested in purchasing the property as is.
Bids were originally expected to be opened at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, but superintendent Eric Ritzert said the bidding period was extended until Jan. 6, 2026, to account for the holidays.
“With the holidays, potential contractors asked for more time,” he said.
Ritzert said once the demolition is complete, the property on East Brady Road in Sugarcreek Township, will be used as athletic fields for the district.
“The district decided the property could initially be used for soccer practice. It potentially could be developed as a softball or baseball field for the school district to use if we are unable to play those sports elsewhere,” he said.
Armstrong School District built the original part of Sugarcreek Elementary in 1953 and completed an addition and renovation project in 1973. The Karns City district acquired the school in 1993 and classes started in 1994, when that area of Armstrong County became part of the school district.
It closed its doors at the end of the 2023-24 school year as students were folded into Karns City Area Elementary School, which was renamed from Chicora Elementary School.
Conversations began earlier this year around razing the property as Ritzert expressed the burden of paying for utilities at the site.
But Dennis Tiche, a county resident and property manager, said he thinks demolishing the building would be a waste of taxpayer money and a building that can be utilized. He said he went to a school board meeting some months ago and offered to purchase the building for $100,000.
“They want to tear down the building, which cost millions, for the sake of some athletic fields,” he said.
While Tiche said he feels his offer was not taken seriously, Ritzert said district officials had to prioritize the needs of students.
“The board and administration listened but collectively feel the property is needed for the school district’s needs,” Ritzert said.
Tiche said he believes the choice of athletic fields only benefits a small percentage of the student body and he would be willing to subdivide off any undeveloped sections of the property from the building itself.
“I really don’t care if I get it, I just don’t want to see them destroy a perfectly good building,” he said.
Nevertheless, Ritzert said the district will be moving forward with its plan to raze the building and use the property as practice fields for soccer.
