School board reviews stadium renovation plans
Directors in the Uniontown Area School District got their first look at scaled-down plans for renovations to Bill Power Stadium Monday, though estimated cost figures may not be ready until February. Mark Altman of district architect Altman & Altman outlined the scope of work to the school board at its monthly worksession for the stadium project, which he said should be under way this spring if everything goes as planned.
According to the plans, the ticket booth and concession stand on the visitors side of the field would be eliminated, the ticket booths and concession stand on the home side would be remodeled, handicapped-accessible restrooms and seats would be constructed. Altman said some concrete work would be required, and he is recommending new fencing around the perimeter.
An important part of the upgrade at the stadium, he said, will be the lighting. He said at the center of the field, the lights have a strength of 20 foot-candles and gradually fade near both end zones. Altman recommended that the lights be upgraded to 50 foot-candles and that the poles be repainted.
The lighting upgrade alone could cost between $60,000 and $70,000, he said. Altman said using the same poles would be beneficial because the newer lighting would provide better coverage of the field, but no recommendation about the light poles has been made.
Altman asked the board to be ready to proceed soon, because the board asked that the project be scaled back though they are committed to moving forward on some type of renovations to the stadium.
Directors Dorothy Grahek and Tammy Boyle asked that the seating on the visitor side be improved for the people who will use those seats. Grahek said the bleachers are in poor condition and should be taken care of sooner rather than later.
Board President Harry “Dutch” Kaufman said that this project would be a nice start at the stadium, though directors are aware that more will need done there as time passes.
“I think this will aesthetically and functionally take care of the things that need done,” he said. “We should move forward with this, to clean things up and improve lighting. It’s time to get this thing started so we can have it ready for football and soccer this fall.”
Altman recommended that the board prepare to award bids this spring, with work to begin sometime before the end of the school year.
Boyle said that the district is in the midst of moving its central administration offices from its current Church Street location to the site of the former job center on Iowa Street, and directors should take a look at all of the projects under way or proposed for the near future.
“Keep Iowa Street in mind, too,” Boyle said. “We have a lot of projects going on right now, and getting Central straightened up and moved out might be a priority.”
Grahek asked about a pricetag for the proposal, and Altman said he is still working on coming up with a figure for the stadium. He said he hopes to have an estimate ready for the board by their February worksession.
Funds for the stadium renovation are coming from bond issues the board approved to complete the first phase of renovations to a number of district facilities.
Among the other items for the board to consider at next week’s legislative meeting are a right-of-way and service agreement with Allegheny Power for electricity distribution service at Wharton School, telecommunications contracts, a pest management contract and advertising for bids for roof replacement at A.J. McMullen School.
Because of the holiday Monday, the school board will meet Wed, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m.