COLUMBIANA Athletic complex would not be used for varsity football

The school board will consider an architect's proposals at its July meeting.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- As school officials are finalizing plans for an athletic complex next to the new Columbiana High School, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Rottenborn is stressing the plans do not include a high school football facility.
"We will continue to play our varsity football games at Firestone Park for as long as the park board so graciously allows us to do so," Rottenborn said.
The board of education reviewed this week the latest plans for new athletic fields from architect Terry McCoy of Hanahan-Strollo & amp; Associates Inc. of Youngstown. The plans include a middle school football and soccer field in the center of an eight-lane, all-weather track. Baseball and softball diamonds would be added later.
The estimated cost of construction is $583,560, Rottenborn said.
Funding: To build the football/soccer field and the all-weather track, the district would use a $50,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development, and about $200,000 earmarked in the financial planning for the new high school. He said the board could also apply the $165,000 from the sale of the old high school to the project.
McCoy submitted a proposal for his firm to do site development and a bid package for civil engineering and site utilities, about $20,000.
Rottenborn said the board will consider approving the proposal at the July 18 meeting. Before committing to begin building the athletic fields, however, members want to hear if district funds may be more urgently needed for possible roof repair or replacement at the Joshua Dixon Elementary or South Side Middle School buildings.
He said McCoy will do a roof assessment and report his findings at the July meeting.
Columbiana varsity football teams have played their home games in the Firestone Park stadium for more than 50 years.