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CALCUTTA -- An NFL player and successful businessman teamed up to donate $1 million to the Beaver Local athletic program at the beginning of the year. On Monday, the school board held a special meeting to approve the architectural services for phase two of the big project.
Baltimore Ravens defensive end Derek Wolfe and Jamin Pastore, who both played football at Beaver Local, wanted to give back to their alma mater in January. While about $600,000 of the donation was for the installation of a turf football field, the rest was planned to go toward the construction of a multi-use athletic training facility.
Monday, the school board approved FMD Architects for the architecture services at 5.5 percent of the total cost of the project. Superintendent Eric Lowe said they estimate the project to be between $2 and $3 million.
"We had several architects come in and present to our building and grounds committee," Lowe said. "We went with FMD based on that presentation in combination with the pricing as well. All of the architects were competitive, but we felt the best about the package they offered."
Lowe said they aren't certain about the exact cost of the project because they are still discussing with the architects what will be in the facility. The school has some ideas of what they'd want the facility to consist of, but they are working with the architects and will need to do a cost analysis.
Because of the generous donation from Wolfe, one of the first priorities for the facility is an upgraded weight training area in the building. Updated locker rooms are also at the top of the wish list, according to Lowe. He said they want to incorporate other items to maximize the use of the building for as many student athletes as possible.
To go along with the roughly $400,000 from the donation from Wolfe and Pastore, Lowe set a $1 million fundraising goal to get the project going in January. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made it a poor time to raise money. Lowe said they plan to raise at least $1 million and then partner with Wolfe, Pastore, local businesses and other community members to generate more revenue.
"We're looking to do a partnership with what we have left from their donation, using some district funds, doing some fundraising and getting some alumni and businesses owners to support it as well," Lowe said.
While the district is hoping to move forward with the project, Lowe said they will begin planning and working with the architects. They need to solidify the components of the building so they can have renderings and concepts done.
"We are very excited for the kids in our school district," Lowe said. "For them to have an opportunity to have an upgraded facility that can reach out to so many aspects of our athletic community is amazing. The turf upgraded our athletic facilities, and this would be another piece to make us have a really attractive campus all around."
slendak@mojonews.com