The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors decided during its Thursday Agenda Meeting to put the purchase of new lighting for Helling Stadium on hold.
Dr. Wesley Shipley, school superintendent, said that the project was quoted by Musco lighting at a cost of at minimum $275,000. He said the “Cadillac” lighting system would cost the district at least $344,000. The lighting was not included in the original $2,562,405 budget for the stadium project.
All directors agreed that the lighting is a cost that cannot be taken on by the district at this time.
The board also has yet to make a decision regarding designs for the end zone areas of the field, which could cost upwards of $32,000.
Construction has begun at the stadium, and according to Paul Pishioneri, Director of Facilities Management, the projects are well underway.
During the board’s April 7 meeting, they awarded the stadium project to Fred L. Burns, Inc., Shippenville, Pa.
The major portion of that project will be the installation of Astro Turf at a cost of $2,420,000, which includes removal of dirt, addition of drainage, and labor. In addition to the Astro Turf, the track will be resurfaced with a long-lasting synthetic material at a cost of $64,150 and $7,380 for the school colors to be added. Electrical work, including wiring to the poles, work on the timeclock and other electrical work will also be included in the project at $42,850. The fencing will be replaced at no cost.
they should have tore out the visiting bleachers and moved them back so the track is on the inside and county meets can be held here.
Wow 2.5 million. How much of that will improve the academic standards at ECASD? Money well spent for a failing football program.
why do we need a new football field??the boys need a nice baseball field just as much………..
I have suggested for many years that the LHS school board needs to initiate a plan to merge with the Riverside School District. There is not enough tax base to support two high schools and major projects such as this. Graduating enrollment of both schools combined is close to only half that of LHS alone in the past! At least bring in consultants to determine the feasibility of such a merger. Determine the plusses and minuses and let the Ellwood City community decide.
What happened to my comment?