July 30, 2014 at 4:23 p.m.
Coaches, district officials provide feedback on proposed stadium improvements
Coaches, district officials provide feedback on proposed stadium improvements
The district began that process Monday, meeting with a focus group of coaches and district officials to discuss the plans.
The process continued this week when the district met with HSF to discuss funding options for the improvements.
Director of Business Services Marta Kwiatkowski said all of the money needed for the facelift - outside of the new lights approved by the school board last week and the track improvements which the board previously agreed to fund - must come from outside sources.
"This is a big project for us. It's probably going to be over many years. We got pricing on it and it's very expensive and it's all going to have to be fundraised," she said. "The district does not have money to do this."
Kwiatkowski then outlined the proposed improvements including the inclusion of a soccer field inside the track, (which would need to be widened), a new concession stand and entryway, an outdoor classroom, new team rooms, extra storage space and more - before opening up the floor for suggestions and questions.
Rod Olson was the first to speak up. He was the head track coach for several years before deciding to decrease his involvement and become an assistant. He is still coaching the Alpine ski and snowboard teams.
Olson said he likes the idea of improving the track as it would allow the school to once again host track meets. The district has not held a home track meet for many years and the track has deteriorated to the point that it is almost unusable.
There are two options being discussed for the track. According to estimates, resurfacing the track would cost $93,200 while building a wider track would cost $294,000. The board has set aside $170,000 for the track.
"With a new track, we'd be able to host track meets and we'd be able to bid on regional and sectional events," Olson said, before also stating that he liked the placement of the long and triple jump pit and the pole vault pit running north and south on the east side of the track.
"The long and triple jump and the pole vault (placements), that's awesome ... because neither one of the face the sun," Olson said.
Olson did say, however, that it might be best if the pole vault was moved to the south so that both areas could be seen from the bleachers instead of having the pole vault behind the long and triple jump.
"For the pole vault, if we move that down, the bleachers could see the pole vault pit and the long jump pit separate instead of one in back of the other," he said.
Current boys' track coach Brad Vick said that would work best as it would ease congestion.
"That's a good idea because it gets congested. If you have them both together like that, it's going to be congested," he said.
Kwiatkowski said the district would ask the architects about the location of the track facilities.
Olson also had a suggestion for the high jump. He said it would be best if the high jump area was changed so that the athletes run east and west on the south end of the field instead of north and south.
"For high jump, the size of the actual area that is there now is too small. It'd be nice to go (east and west) and jump there and use more of the width of the football field instead of running north and south," he said.
"Keep it where it is, but have them run (east and west) instead of (north and south)."
Kwiatkowski said the district could look into that.
The final track discussion involved the question of whether or not to widen the track. Olson said a wider track would be the best option.
"As far as attracting bids on getting those big meets, with the trees and the wind, we could really push that records could be set here," he said.
"The corners are the key. If the track's wider, the corners are wider, too, and less of a turn means more speed."
RHS Principal David Ditzler also opined that a wider track would be preferable. He said the wider track would mean the soccer field could be moved into the stadium and that means one prime location for multiple sports.
"I think it would be nice to have one facility where our major events are being watched. Girls' and boys' soccer, all track, football, I think that would be really nice," he said.
Trees were also a main point of discussion during the meeting.
"The wind doesn't affect (the track) except for the main bleacher side, so I would say don't cut any trees," Olson said.
Kwiatkowski informed him that the district has no plans to cut any trees around the stadium. That made football defensive coordinator Gary Zarda happy.
"You talked about the trees surrounding things on three sides. It helps with identity. Some of the kids are wearing shirts that say 'Fear the Forest,'" he said. "With the Hodag, we're the Northwoods and part of that identity is that forest idea."
Zarda also said the trees should stay because the football team has discussed planting trees in honor of past football programs.
"We have talked about, as a football program, honoring past programs by planting trees," he said.
Kwiatkowski said the district would work with the architects to make sure as few trees are cut as possible.
Kwiatkowski also discussed the proposed team rooms that would be, as the plans look now, stationed in the northwest corner of the stadium. They are estimated to cost $600,000.
"The team rooms would have showers and bathrooms just for the team. They are also looking to have some storage space in there as well," she said.
The group liked the idea of the team rooms, but many had different ideas on where they should be placed. Kwiatkowski said she would bring all suggestions - including moving them directly behind the bleachers or moving them even further south - to the architects.
The discussion regarding the team rooms quickly morphed into a discussion about new restrooms. As the plans state now, the new restrooms would be located in the new entryway. The entryway is not guaranteed, however Kwiatkowski said the new restrooms are needed.
"(The new entryway) looks beautiful, but it's probably not going to be a part of the first phase. It's the most expensive building out of all the projects that we're doing so it's most likely going to be done at the end," Kwiatkowski said.
"It's going to be in phases, but the bathrooms are absolutely embarrassing."
Activities Director Brian Paulson said the team rooms should be more of a priority than the restrooms.
"I know the bathrooms are terrible, don't get me wrong, but there's something to be said about having the kids out for these different types of sports being a priority over the bathrooms. That's just my thought," he said.
"I truly believe that because by the time you build (the new entryway), how much was that ($900,000) to build that whole front area? We're going to get one or the other, that's what I'm saying. We're going to get one or the other."
Kwiatkowski disagreed.
"Our taxpayers come and use those bathrooms and we want to make sure they're presentable and useable," she said.
"They are terrible now and they need to be fixed."
The location of the new entryway was also up for discussion. Kwiatkowski said there have been discussions about moving the new entryway to the southwest corner of the stadium to create one central location for people to enter. The group agreed that was the best scenario.
"This is not set in stone, the location of (the entryway). That's why we're having these meetings, to gather input and bring it back to the architects to make changes," Kwiatkowski said.
While not a part of the current draft plans, JWMS Principal Paul Johnson said the district should also look into doing something about the press box.
"The one complaint that we've heard most frequently regarding the facilities from other people is the press box," he said.
"I know at one point we were thinking about naming rights going down, but I don't know where that is, but the press box is old and is even a little dangerous."
Kwiatkowski said HSF is exploring options for the press box.
Above all else, Zarda said the project is an exciting one.
"This is an exciting thing that donors are looking into doing for our community and that benefits us economically in a number of ways with increased revenues from potential track meets, etc., and I think that a nicer facility would allow us to do more things as a community," Zarda said.
"A number of community groups use what we have, and if we have a nicer facility, there could be even more community usage. Additionally, as people look at relocating to our community, having something that speaks to pride, speaks to that Hodag identity, I think it will be helpful with that."
The district will now meet with HSF as it continuing investigating funding options and solicits more input on the plans.
"We are going to discuss this with the Hodag Schools Foundation and hopefully bring it before the school board soon so we can start fundraising for the project," Kwiatkowski said.
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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