We reported last week on Raccoon Valley Radio that the Iowa GOP has selected Stuart to be the location for its 3rd District Convention coming up in April, and the party is making plans to rent West Central Valley High School as the specific space for the event.

The convention was also held in the high school two years ago, and despite having to take care of more than 500 delegates that will be visiting her school on Saturday, April 26th, Principal Debbie Wilson says that responsibility isn’t as difficult as one might think.

“This building is set up so well that it just is really easy to host things, big things like this as long as it fits within the numbers.  The gym holds anywhere from 800 to 1,200 people with the chairs and bleachers set up.  The kitchen allows them to have either a hot or cold lunch.  And then the commons area is just a wonderful meeting place for all the groups.”

Wilson says she will continually meet with Dean Hopkins, Guthrie County Chair of the Iowa GOP, over the next couple months to make sure her staff can help prepare the building logistically for the convention.  There will also be a school custodian on hand during the event to help any delegates with building needs should they arise.

Wilson says the one issue the school faced during the convention two years ago was in relation to parking, though that should no longer be a problem.  With the new athletic complex now completely constructed, visitors should have plenty of cemented lots to park in rather than grassy fields.

Hopkins says West Central Valley High School was a “perfect location” for the district convention two years ago, and the GOP is excited about returning there in April.