Sports complex plans are discussed
By Mary Smith
The school board is looking at 2009 to come to voters for a sports complex.
McDONALD — K. Anthony Hayek of MS Consultants, Youngstown, reviewed plans that have been drafted for a possible new district sports complex with the board of education.
Board member Jeff Hughes, who told the board he was committed to the project, asked Hayek to attend the panel’s Monday night meeting. Hayek told the board the original cost of the project, which his firm has been working on designs for since July 2005, was set at $2.5 million, but he added that now it would cost at least 10 percent more, or an additional $200,000 to $300,000, in 2009, because of inflation.
He said his firm has done $17,000 worth of work on the project, but he has not billed the board. He said the company hoped it would be hired if the project proceeds.
The board has gone to voters twice for approval of a permanent-improvement levy, both of which lost by slim margins. The issue, which would raise $2.5 million, was defeated as a 4-mill levy in November 2005 and a 3.9-mill levy in May 2006.
Treasurer Thomas Radabaugh said the district will seek another levy for the project in 2009.
Hayek noted the biggest problem the architects have been tackling is trying to fit a track into the amount of space available. The track can be placed only east to west, and can be only a six-lane track, with 48 inches per lane, as required by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
Board member Kate Harvey said she has been told by residents that they want an eight-lane track, but Hayek said it is not possible. He did tell the board, however, that he would look into building an eight-lane track with the visitor’s side stands cantilevered over them.
Plans are for a new stadium with concession stands and restrooms, a bus garage and maintenance area, a track and a practice field and visitors side stands. The current proposal is to put the track around ball fields.
The current track is cinder and disintegrated to the point it cannot be used.
Plans for work on the high school gymnasium will include replacement of bleacher seats.
District alumni urged the board last month to again pursue the sports complex project and offered funding and volunteered to help with a levy campaign.
Radabaugh noted that when the Roosevelt Elementary building was built, it was purposely put back as far on the property as possible to allow room for the stadium and the track.
Superintendent Michael Wasser said, “I’m still going with $3.4 million. We couldn’t pass the $2.5 million. I want this passed more than anyone in the world, but I don’t know if it’s possible.”
In other business, the board authorized the village to use the summer swimming pool facilities at the high school for the swim program and senior citizen program.