NEW CASTLE School board hires firm to study stadium upgrade

Habitat for Humanity was given the land on Oak Street to build homes.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- New Castle Board of Education has hired an architect to study the district's football field.
Eckles Architecture of New Castle will be paid $15,000 from the district's general fund. Superintendent George Gabriel said that if the district decides to go forward with renovations to Taggart Stadium, the $15,000 will be credited to the district for future work.
Gabriel said a study a few years ago by Copple-Rizzo Associates of New Castle showed that improvements were needed to the bleachers, light poles and locker rooms.
He said there are no locker rooms for visiting football teams. They must use facilities in Ben Franklin School, which is about a block away.
The superintendent said the study will begin immediately and they hope to have the results in a few months.
Other business
In other business, school board members agreed to let nonprofit agencies take desks and other items from the old city high school that is going to be razed. The district already has removed items to be used in other district buildings.
Gabriel said the organizations can come to the building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They must have proof of nonprofit status and all items will be given "as is," he said.
The school board also agreed to donate vacant property that once housed the Oak Street School to Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat director Jennifer Gordon said the group plans to build four to five houses on the land. It is located on the lower east side near the Lawrence County Government Center.
"We are extremely grateful to the school board for supporting our mission. We look forward to helping another four or five families fulfill their dream of home ownership," Gordon said.
Habitat for Humanity is now working on building its ninth home on Chestnut Street.