LTHS Pool Scoreboard Fails Repeatedly

LA GRANGE, IL – The scoreboard at Lyons Township High School's South Campus is failing repeatedly.

Two residents spoke at this week's school board meeting about the problem. They said it was affecting a variety of activities, including major competitions.

Timing in swim meets is down to the hundredths of seconds.

"There were races at sectionals that the timing system simply didn't register. So backup times, which are way less accurate, had to be used," resident Amanda Collins said. "This is not acceptable."

Often, she said, the scores are illegible.

"When trying to read the board, it was impossible to see the time since several of the numbers for every lane do not work," Collins said. "We need a timing board and a scoring system that actually work."

Earlier this year, the athletics department made the pool's scoreboard a No. 1 priority. It said the old scoreboard was no longer working and cannot be repaired.

The estimated price tag for a video scoreboard is $224,000.

But the school administration plans no upgrade anytime soon.

Brian Stachacz, the school's director of business services, said the request for the scoreboard was valid, but it came too late for anything to be done in time for the next school year.

Board member Allison Kelly asked why the pool scoreboard wasn't addressed as quickly as the one for the football field.

In reply, Stachacz said he didn't know how long the scoreboard had been an issue. He said that question would be better answered by the athletics department.

He said this was the first time the scoreboard was considered a No. 1 priority.

"I don't think it's even been on the list until this year. I'll have to go back and review that," Stachacz said.