Stuttgart School District one step closer to new sports complex
The Stuttgart Board of Directors adopted two resolutions during the Tuesday, October 8 board meeting, bringing them one step closer in fulfilling future plans for construction and renovations in the district. …
The Stuttgart Board of Directors adopted two resolutions during the Tuesday, October 8 board meeting, bringing them one step closer in fulfilling future plans for construction and renovations in the district.
The first motion was to adopt the resolution for the proposed budget and the second motion was to notify the Department of Education of their plans, including their project list with the interest rate of 3.44%.
Beardsley Finance presented the council with documentation that laid out the Master Plan Resolution for the proposed budget.
The Millage Campaign and Bond Application included net funds of $15,253,733.75. Capital interest is put in the bond.
According to Beardsley Finance, if the projects come in under bid, any additional funds can be used to construct, refurbish and equip school facilities.
Projected projects include constructing new restrooms at Meekins Middle School, replacing the roof and HAVOC system at Park Avenue Elementary and adding a canopy.
Stuttgart School District Superintendent, Rick Gales, stated the canopy would provide additional coverage for students during pick-ups.
Major projects planned are the construction and equipping of a new baseball and softball complex, renovation and constructing an addition to the Stuttgart Junior High Basketball Arena and renovating the high school gym.
A school architect presented the school board with three options for the arena in February.
The first option was to improve what was already present by installing new seats, replacing the stage with student seating and locker room remodels for approximately $4.8 million.
The second option still used the current arena but added an L shaped addition, providing a place for the home team fans.
The 2-story arena would include student seating. Brand new locker rooms and offices would be built as well as a brand new concession stand for approximately $6.8 million.
The third option was a brand new two-level construction with all the bells and whistles.
The board agreed the second option would be best for the district.
That option will provide new locker rooms, offices, a training room, a new store, a new entrance, weight room, construction of a new concession stand, second-level seating, food court area, and a secondary concession stand to name a few.
“We will make sure the public knows what we are talking about,” said Gales. “We will make sure the citizens see what we are doing.”
Gales states the district will provide documentation and visuals that the general public can access as they move forward in the process.
The 1,800-seat arena will qualify the district to host tournaments, which is the 4A requirement.
The proposed plan site for the outdoor sports complex consists of reworking the softball field and baseball field with a press box, dugout and locker room on the home side.
The baseball field will also be turned southeast.
New restrooms and a ticket booth will be constructed as well as a gate access area, providing access to all fields. All new lights will light up the complex and potentially new scoreboards.
“The current concession will move to the southwest corner,” said Gales. “The old concession stand can be converted to our Bird’s Nest to have more space.”
A petition to the County Election Commission will request an election to be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, to pass the budget.
“Every year the budget has to be passed and run in the paper,” said Beardsley Finance. “In the past, it didn’t matter if the budget passed or not but this year it will matter because the district is asking for something.”
