What Says ‘Howell’ to You? Help Name Our New Community Center
People. Places. History. Community. Our Future.
What makes a name feel like Howell?
That’s the question I’ve been thinking about as Howell Public Schools opens the process of naming our new Community Center.
The building itself will be new, but the idea behind it has been years in the making. Facilities planning, community input and bond development ultimately led to the 2023 Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future bond proposal.
Now, as the Community Center moves toward construction, students, staff, families and community members have another opportunity to help shape something that could become part of Howell for generations:
What should we call it?
How did we get here?
The work that eventually led to the 2023 bond began with a districtwide facilities assessment, which identified approximately $400 million in facility needs. A Facilities Steering Committee was established to review those needs, identify priorities and develop recommendations. See the 2023 Bond Proposal Overview.
Those priorities eventually included safety and security, learning environments, teaching tools, aging building infrastructure and community needs.
The Community Center was part of that last category.
When the bond went before voters in November 2023, the Community Center was included alongside other community facilities such as new youth baseball and softball fields, improvements to the Highlander Aquatic and Fitness Center and stadium improvements.
The overall bond authorized $258 million for improvements across the district, including two replacement elementary schools and numerous other facility projects.
More than an athletic facility
I think this part of the Community Center’s history is especially important as we consider what to name it.
During the planning process, the committee explored a facility that could:
increase curricular and co-curricular opportunities for students;
provide recreational activities for our community; and
allow Howell to host large regional events.
By the time the bond proposal was developed, the Community Center was described in three distinct ways: expanded opportunities for students, a community hub and a regional host site.
For students, the vision included additional opportunities for athletics and activities such as pom, cheer and robotics.
For the broader community, it included an indoor walking track, youth sports, court space and multipurpose rooms for meetings, workshops and community and social events.
And as a regional host site, the facility was envisioned as a place capable of bringing athletic tournaments, robotics events and other activities to Howell.
The 2023 bond fact sheet also showed plans for a 200-meter indoor track, artificial turf field, areas for field events, basketball/pickleball/volleyball courts, multipurpose rooms, public restrooms and locker rooms, concessions and a secure vestibule.
This was envisioned from the beginning as a place where students, schools and community intersect.
From planning to construction
A lot has happened since voters approved the bond in 2023.
The project has moved through pre-planning, planning and engagement, design and the bid/award process. The district announced this spring that the Board of Education had approved the bid for the pre-engineered metal building portion of the project, with groundbreaking anticipated this fall.
The Community Center will be located north of the Howell High School Field House and Highlander Aquatics and Fitness Center.
The district has described the vision for the finished facility as a “cornerstone of Highlander Nation” — a place where our schools and community come together.
Follow the Community Center and athletic bond updates from Howell Public Schools
The Community Center has moved through pre-planning, planning and engagement, design and bidding as the project approaches construction. This is the current status as of Sept 2026.
Now it needs a name
Howell Public Schools is asking students, staff, families and community members to submit suggestions.
There is lots of room to be creative.
According to the district’s naming criteria, suggestions should reflect the mission, vision and values of Howell Public Schools, recognize significant historical, geographical, educational or community connections, or honor an individual who has made an extraordinary and lasting contribution to Howell Public Schools or the Howell community, consistent with Board Policy 7250.
That opens up a lot of possibilities.
Maybe there’s something from Howell’s history worth carrying forward.
Maybe there’s a place or geographical connection that is uniquely ours.
Maybe there’s an educational or community tradition that generations of Highlanders would recognize.
Maybe there’s a person whose extraordinary and lasting contributions deserve consideration.
Or maybe a student or community member will come up with something none of us has considered yet.
People. Places. History. Community. Our Future.
A building like this may be around for a very long time. Students in our schools today may someday walk through its doors with their own children or grandchildren.
So this isn't only a question of what sounds good in 2026.
What name could still feel like Howell decades from now?
What connects our history to our future?
What represents a facility intended to belong not just to one team, one activity or one generation, but to students and the broader community?
What happens after you submit a name?
Suggestions will be accepted through Friday, October 23 at 4 p.m.
After the submission period closes, district administration will review the suggestions for alignment with Board policy and the established criteria.
The Board of Education and district administration will then develop a shortlist of names.
But the community’s role doesn’t end there.
Students, staff, families and community members will have another opportunity to provide feedback on the finalists before a final name is expected to be selected in January 2027.
So, what says “Howell” to you?
Think about our people.
Think about our places.
Think about our history.
Think about our schools and community.
And think about the future generations who will use this space.
Then send in your idea.
Community Center name suggestions are due Friday, October 23 at 4 p.m.
Submit your Community Center name suggestion
I’m looking forward to seeing what our community comes up with and to hearing from everyone again when it’s time to consider the finalists.
