COLUMBIANA SCHOOLS Contractors work on sports projects

The district received a grant because a component of the track material is recycled tires.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- The area behind South Side Middle School in some ways resembles a giant sandbox, with heavy equipment rumbling along, shifting tons of dirt.
Eventually, there will be soccer matches and track meets and football, baseball and softball games played here.
An all-weather track soccer field and middle school football field being built there are just the first on a long-term list of projects for the school district.
Superintendent Patricia Hura said contractors are preparing the site for the track, with the combination soccer and football field in the center of the oval.
Hura said the track and the playing fields need to set about a year before being used. If the sod and the all-weather track material don't set properly, they could be damaged by regular use.
So though much of the work will be completed this year, the track and fields won't be used until fall 2003.
Contractors: Treasurer Lori Posey said Mike Pusateri Excavating of East Liverpool has the contract for the track and field development, about $460,000.
Bell Well Drilling Inc. in Fairfield Township has a contract not to exceed $12,030 to drill a well to water the athletic fields, rather than using the municipal water supply.
Geller-Warden of Canfield has the $22,000 contract for electrical work.
Posey said the only lighting at the field initially will be for the flagpole. The contractor, however will install conduits under the track for future use.
Posey said no general fund or permanent improvement money is being used for the project.
The track and athletic fields will be paid for by a $185,000, 10-year contract with Coca-Cola, $165,000 from the sale of the old high school and a $52,000 Ohio Department of Development grant. She said the district is eligible for the ODOD grant because the rubber component of the track is recycled tires.
Hura said school and city officials will coordinate plans for the school complex as money for additional fields becomes available.
High school football, softball and baseball games are played at Firestone Park. Posey said school officials have no intention of moving any of those facilities to the school complex.