April 24, 2015 at 5:38 p.m.
School board approves resurfacing project for stadium track
School board approves resurfacing project for stadium track
The board went with the option that will add lanes and widen the track, allowing the district to be in the running to hold conference meets as well as eventually have soccer games in the stadium. The site preparation and paving was awarded to Musson Brothers while the actual track surfacing will be done by Athletic Field Services. The total cost of the project the board approved is not to exceed $426,350.
"We have been working on the track facility for quite some time, and you as a board have set aside money to make sure that minimally we could get the resurfacing done," said Superintendent Kelli Jacobi. "Hodag School Foundation (HSF) has come forward and has helped raise funds to help with this project so that we could do the bigger project, which means widening the track."
Jacobi said that widening the track changes the radius of the curves and better meets the standards for athletic competition. The widened track will also enlarge the playing surface in the middle, which would allow for a regulation soccer field to also be marked out in addition to that for football.
"With just what you have set aside, we would have been able to do enough to make the track safe. This takes it up a level, that we're able to do more," Jacobi said.
She said that HSF has committed to helping raise the funds for the project and already has secured $215,000 through private donations which will be given in one lump sum. They have also committed an additional $41,350 over the course of the next several years so that the funding will be available to complete the project.
The board had received a briefing before the regular meeting on the two options, with the alternative of keeping the track at its present dimensions coming in at $305,300.
David Holperin made the motion to go with the widened option, which was seconded by Merlin Van Buren.
Mike Roberts said that while the current infield of the stadium is technically wide enough for soccer, the new dimensions would allow Rhinelander High School to host WIAA post-season games.
"If we ever wanted to host sectionals, regionals or stuff like that in the stadium, now we will be able to do that," Roberts said.
Roberts said that if the cost of the project comes in under budget, the HSF would like to see additional renovations of the stadium facilities.
"With what they have donated, we can just cover what we bid out. There are other items on the list for phase one that we did not bid out because we knew that just bidding that (the track) out this year is what we needed to get done. But there are other items in the stadium area, if we can save money or come up with other money, they wanted to emphasize to the board that they would like to see done," Roberts said.
He added since the cost of just resurfacing the present track was close to the cost to expand the track, "it made sense" to expand it. He said the HSF would not have been as generous to the project if the track was left in its current configuration. In its present form, the track is not useable and unsafe.
"They want to see that as a multi-sport stadium," he said. "I think it's good for the community, it's good for everyone. It's one more project we can do to keep us moving forward."
The measure passed on a roll call vote. The project is expected to be completed in time for football season.
In other action, the board:
• Approved a proposal from Per Mar Security for the purchase and installation of new digital video surveillance systems at Central, Crescent and Pelican schools, Northwoods Community Elementary School and the Northwoods Achievement Center at a cost not to exceed $93,595.
• Approved the proposal from Quality Roofing for replacing the roof of the high school at a cost not to exceed $107,487.
• Approved a proposal from Maurer Roofing, Inc. to replace the roof at Pelican Elementary School at a cost not to exceed $41,215.
• Approved a proposal by C & M Concrete for sidewalk and gutter replacement at James Williams Middle School at a cost not to exceed $29,260.
• Approved a proposal from VeHalen to remove and install new ceiling tiles at James Williams Middle School at a cost not to exceed $34,900.
• Approved a proposal from LaForce, Inc. for the purchase and installation of three exterior doors at James Williams Middle School at a cost not to exceed $33,323.99.
• Approved a contract with CESA 9 for shared services for the 2015-16 school year.
• Approved an additional $3,000 for girls soccer to cover the cost of 13 additional players coming out for the sport this year.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at jtaylor @lakelandtimes.com.
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