JERRY CITY – A proposed $1.9 million sports complex update would solve several problems for Elmwood
School District, but the question lingers, how will it be funded?
Athletic Director Michele Story, along with members of a committee that has been meeting for the past 1
1/2 years, presented to the school board Monday their plan for a sports complex that would include an
all-weather track around the existing football field, new bleachers, improved concessions, and a
beautification effort that would add trees, fencing and a courtyard.
The project would replace bleachers that have been a safety concern for years, and the new track would
allow Elmwood to finally hold home track meets.
Keith Riley, a senior associate with Toledo-based SSOE Group, estimated the project would cost about $1.9
million, but added that local donations as well as volunteer labor could reduce that amount.
"I think we all would love to do it, but reality is, it’s $1.9 million," said board member
Brian King after the presentation. The district already is cutting its budget, including not filling
open teaching positions. "At the end of the day, we have to make the decision … does that mean we
don’t hire a teacher back to make that payment?
"It’s not about what you want, it’s about what you can afford," he added.
The project would include an eight-lane all-weather track, estimated at $450,000; new home bleachers that
could seat 2,000 – up from about 1,200 now – along with a new press box, estimated at $400,000; new
visitor bleachers, about $200,000; and a new concession stand connected to the north end of the existing
locker rooms, $120,000. The existing concession stand would be used for storage, and the existing locker
rooms would remain untouched.
Two lights on the north side of the football field would have to be moved to accommodate the track, and a
stand of trees would have to be removed for the new visitor bleachers. A long jump and pole vault area
would be located on the north side of the complex, between the football field and the track; the high
jump would be near the west end zone; and the shot put and discus would be southeast of the stadium.
It would take about 18 months to complete the entire project, Riley said.
"There are a lot of positives (with the project), but when you have to write the check, that’s a big
negative," said board member Trent Snowden.
According to Superintendent Tony Borton, the district’s insurance company has ruled the existing
bleachers are not to code; administrators are meeting with agents on Wednesday, and Borton said he
expects a finding against the district because of the bleachers.
"The home bleachers are a huge concern," he stated.
Talk of a new all-weather track, as well as new bleachers, has been ongoing at Elmwood, with a push about
seven years ago to get the project completed. At that time, the issue of funding put the plans on the
back burner.
"I thing there’s some private donations willing to come in," Borton said. But the school board
first has to commit to the project.
He shared three other funding methods: pay for the project out of the district’s general operating fund;
put a tax issue on the ballot and let the voters decide; or move inside millage to raise the funds, an
option that for all purposes is an unvoted property tax increase for district residents.
Borton estimated a 1-mill tax issue to fund the project would cost $30.62 in additional taxes for a home
valued at $100,000.
Monica Arnold, who coaches the girls varsity track team, stressed the need to take the proposal to the
public to gauge support.
"If we take it to the public and they say no, it’s done for," she said, adding that a public
forum would be a good starting point.
Board members agreed, and set a special meeting for 7 p.m. Jan. 31. Committee members were asked to
provide information on the project, and answer questions during that forum.