Groundbreaking for School Board Office, Improvements to CHS’s Wildcat Stadium

Groundbreaking for improvements on Central Community School Board property located at the corner of Hooper and Sullivan roads is set for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10.

The $7.1 million project will include administrative offices for the Central school system and improvements to Wildcat Stadium, including parking, a new concession stand, and a giant American flag on the east end of the stadium.

State funds secured by Sen. Bodi White will pay about half of the cost of the project. This includes $1 million for the parking lot, which will be shared by the stadium and the administrative building, and $2.4 million toward the administrative building.  The remaining $3.6 million will come from the school system’s general fund.

The school board unanimously approved the project in January.  The Central Planning & Zoning Commission gave the go ahead to the project earlier this month, and the Central City Council held a special meeting last Thursday to give final approval.

Improvements to the athletic facilities are scheduled for completion in July, while the administrative building is set for completion in December.

One of the key features of the project will be a 28- to 30-foot-wide promenade at the entrance to the stadium.  The band could march into the stadium from the promenade before football games. The promenade will have the capacity to be used for community activities such as a farmer’s market.

The concession stand will be built at a cost of more than $700,000. The school board earlier rejected plans for the concession stand because of costs.  However, with construction costs soaring across the board, the board finally agreed to the price tag.

The parking area between the administrative building and the stadium will be paved.  Parking south of the stadium will be limestoned.

The 20×30 American flag will be an imposing sight at the other end of the stadium.

At a meeting of the Central School Board Monday night, Supt. Jason Fountain expressed appreciation to the Central City Council for moving expeditiously for approval of plans for the administrative building.  The building is scheduled to be built out in 10 months.