North Pike’s Athletic Booster Club proposed to school board members a remodel of the softball field Thursday night with the installation of a press box, bleachers on either side to separate the home team and visitors and concession stands.
“We know funds are tight at this school … but we’ve got some parents that are excited about trying to get involved and help raise money to build the facility,” softball head coach Sonya Wallace told trustees.
The project could be completed in one to three years, depending on the donations the group receives, she said.
“We did go look at several buildings in the area,” booster Danny Easley said. “Every school we’ve been to has a press box and concession stands. We’ve been putting up tents for several years now and the booster club thought it would be a good idea to raise money to do this project.”
The club received a quote for $43,000 and another for $32,000 for the metal building. Overall costs, including flooring and lighting, could be less than $100,000, Easley said.
“We got a lot of people that want to give some money,” he said. “We just don’t know how much and how fast.”
Superintendent Dennis Penton said the school has a nice facility, but the field could use some renovations.
“I think it (press box and concession stands) could be a nice addition if we could get the funds to do it,” he said.
The board voted to allow the Athletic Booster Club to proceed with the project and raise funds for its proposal.
In other news, the board:
• Approved athletic director Kevin Martin’s recommendation to fund $14,320 to repair the baseball field’s retaining wall.
• Decided not to make up Wednesday, Sept. 5, when schools closed because of the Hurricane Gordon warning.
• Approved the 2017-18 final amended budget.
• Approved a request to advertise for a timber sale in November.
• Accepted estimates for renovations of the bathrooms in the football field at the middle school.
“They were in bad shape when I got here and it’s only gotten worse,” Penton said.
New toilet fixtures, lighting fixtures, sinks and plywood have to be installed in the bathrooms.
• Hired 6 six substitute teachers.
• Hired instructional assistant Kevin Brown and part-time drivers Lenard Hamilton and Clary Marshall.
• Accepted resignation from long-term substitute teacher Jean Ashley Spring.
• Confirmed a walk-through starting at the middle school and ending at the elementary school for 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
