Boardman stadium project gets boost from Home Savings donation

April 10, 2013 at 7:33p.m.

BOARDMAN

Boardman High School boosters are trying to get a new stadium project up and running, despite voter rejection of a bond issue in 2007 that would have provided funding.

With a $100,000 donation from the Home Savings Charitable funds, the project is a little closer to fruition.

“The way we’re trying to raise money is through individuals, corporations, foundations. They have the kind of money we’re looking for,” said Bill Bonte, president of the Boardman Booster Club Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that raises money in support of school projects. “We hope that Home Savings will be a major catalyst and bring about more businesses.”

The $4 million project is at about $800,000 and there are hopes that turf — at about $1 million of the total project cost — will be laid this year. The goal is to have the rest of the project funded and completed in 2014, Bonte said.

The completion date, though, obviously depends on the amount of donations received. The booster club has committed $100,000 to the project as well, and has received donations of $50,000 from Gridiron Club and $25,000, along with smaller donations, from anonymous donors.

The Home Savings Charitable Foundation will present a check to the boosters at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Sports Complex, east of Boardman High School, 7777 Glenwood Ave.

For more information on the Boardman stadium project or to donate, visit boardmanboosters.org, or contact Bonte at bill.bonte@boardmanboosters.org.