Board discusses athletic facilities
By MICHAEL D. McELWAIN (mmcelwain@reviewonline.com)EAST LIVERPOOL - The future of the district's athletic facilities was discussed Monday night by the East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education.
The topic came up as Treasurer Todd Puster asked for some guidance on how to proceed. During the last several meetings, board members have had a surface discussion on the issue.
Puster said he took an informal tour of Patterson Field and saw flaking concrete and expansion joint cracks in the stadium.
"We need to see if we can get some outside money and get as much as possible to help with these projects," Puster said.
The playing surface at Patterson Field is also in need of work including having a crown put on the field and improvements in the drainage system.
Also of concern is Mangano Field and the future of the Administration Building. The repairs to all the facilities would cost in the millions of dollars.
"I think we need to get someone in here to get some idea to find out how much it may cost," board member Gary Bonnell said. "We need proper irrigating at Patterson Field, and the sound system is despicable there. That's one of the biggest complaints I hear during football season."
Board member Larry Walton said the issue needs addressed but encouraged fellow board members to hold a public meeting exclusively on the future of the various facilities under the district's control.
Superintendent Ken Halbert stressed the importance of trying "as hard as possible to find funds outside of general operating funds" to improve athletic facilities.
To that end, the board agreed to enter into a one-year contract with Grant Source Professionals for grant writing services.
Puster said the group currently does work with Wellsville and Salineville and other school districts.
Under the terms of the contract, the district will pay the group $4,800 a year as a retainer and a fee of 8 percent of the grant amount secured not to exceed $4,000 per grant.
"Whatever we do, we're going to do it right," Halbert said.
Puster said since Patterson Field was made with the Work Progress Administration, specialized grants might be a possibility. If the city shared resources and move City Hall offices to Westgate, that might also increase the chances of obtaining loans, according to Puster.
"This (Patterson Field) is an asset the district has had for 75 years," the treasurer noted.
If grants are not an option, or to possibly help augment a grant, Puster said he will find out current interest rate amounts for a five-year loan.
In other business, the East Liverpool Board of Education:
- took a tour of one of five new school buses delivered Friday. The total cost of the buses was $365,365.
- heard from Halbert who said Hall China Company donated 163 cardboard boxes so high school teachers can move classroom materials during renovations.
- authorized the transportation department to sell four, spare, obsolete buses.
The next meeting of the East Liverpool Board of Education is set for 6 p.m. June 22 in the Administrative Building off Maryland Avenue.
