Buckeye Central BOE hears options for potential stadium renovations

By James Massara

NEW WASHINGTON – Buckeye Central Superintendent Mark Robinson brought various options for bleacher renovations for the Buckeye Central football stadium to the Buckeye Central Board of Education meeting Thursday evening.

The board did not make a decision after hearing the options.

The first option presented was a complete replacement of the home and visitor bleachers and the installation of a new press box above the home bleachers. The home bleachers would seat 746 fans while the visitor bleachers would seat 422 guests.

Both seating sections would be handicap accessible.

The press box would be 8-feet-by-42-feet long with one central room for game operations staff and two side rooms, one for each the home and visiting coaching staffs. The press box also would be heated and have full electric services.

The total estimated cost is $349,969. Robinson said the number was lowered after discussions with Dant Clayton, the company who submitted the estimation, when the original cost was approximately $450,000.

Robinson then went on to show the board two less expensive options.

The superintendent first shared that it would be possible to construct new home bleachers and keep the current press box, but advised Paul Riedinger, a sales representative for Dant Clayton, said that may be the more difficult option to physically construct.

The cost just to replace the home stands with the current press box is estimated at approximately $197,801 compared to the estimate of $277,801 for new home bleachers and a new press box.

The second option was to reconstruct the current wooden bleachers and replace the wood with aluminum, and keep the current press box. He said the estimate to reconstruct the home bleachers is $118,680.

Robinson said he has had multiple people look at the stadium and they have agreed the visitor-side bleachers need replaced.

The total estimate to reconstruct the home bleachers, with the current press box remaining, and building brand new visitor bleachers is $225,000.

If the board decides to move forward with one of the options, they would need to make the decision in the coming weeks to get the project done for the 2018 football season, according to Robinson.

A special meeting would take place if the board makes such a decision.