http://www.dailygate.com/articles/2005/ ... ews/05.txtMidwest Academy buys Sinclair gas station in Montrose
By Gerry Baksys/MVM NEWS NETWORK
Thursday, November 10, 2005 4:26 PM CST
Yes, Midwest Academy, rural Keokuk, has purchased the Sinclair gas station in Montrose. No, they are not turning it into a hotel. At least, not yet.
Ben Trane, the assistant director at the academy, said there are several ideas for the future use of the property - a hotel among them - but nothing solid as of yet.
?We're purchasing that gas station and the property,? Trane said. ?There's been some ideas thrown around, and (the hotel) is one of them. However, there's nothing definite yet. It's a beautiful spot by the river, and we bring in a lot of parents every month to visit the school and their children. So a hotel would serve some purpose. We have also talked about using it just for stuff for our school. We could use it as a recreational area or another location for students to work at.?
Trane said he expects the school to reach some decision on the use of the property in six to eight months. In the meantime, he said, it will continue to operate as a gas station.
According to the academy's Web site, Midwest Academy is a specialty boarding school. It is a two-story self-contained facility which has dormitories, classrooms, a gymnasium, a cafeteria and recreation space. The academy offers a structured environment where students can progress both academically and personally, developing proper motivation and self-direction. The academy also teaches accountability, values, integrity, respect, honor and responsibility.
Well, their friends at PCS run a hotel and they can always call on Jay Kay for advice on how to run a gas station.