High School Concession Stand Move Still an Option

The is still considering a project to move and repair the concession stand on the field. But board members agreed not to vote on the project before getting together a full list of projects that can be paid for with money left over from a 2003 referendum.

In 2003, voters approved referendums that related to building renovations and athletic facility enhancements. Board President Dr. Karen Cortellino said Tuesday the district has been discussing making improvements to the concession stand now because it "is actually part of the document that the public voted on."

Business Administrator Jim Tevis said the district has been working on a five-year facility plan and considering priority projects districtwide. About $1 million is left over from the referendum money, he said.

Board Member Jon Alin said he felt the board should be made aware of what else the money could be used for in addition to the concession stand before making a decision on how to improve it. The board has discussed moving the concession stand to add bathrooms, but another option would be to leave it where it is and renovate the building.

To move the concession stand closer to the septic line would cost about $480,000, with a good portion of that cost going toward connecting to the sewer, Tevis said. Alin noted that leaving the concession stand in its current location and doing repairs could cost less money and the additional money that would have been spent to move the stand could be used elsewhere in the district.

"Yes, it could be fixed for a lot less, but understand that fixing it does not include adding bathrooms," Tevis said.

Board Member Michael Palma asked whether the leftover referendum money could be used and who would be the deciding authority on whether the money could be used for that purpose.

"I would much rather take that money and use it to turf the field than use it for a hot dog stand," he said.

Tevis said the district has discussed the idea, but bond counsel would need to be consulted on whether turf would be a permittable use for the money.