By Greg Denecker

Superintendent of Bluffton schools

There are two topics from the March 15 school board meeting on which I would like to provide updates.

The first is the high school air conditioning system. The system is no longer working, and we need to either repair the system or install a new system. Repairing the existing system would cost around 60% of what a new system would cost. We believe that investing around $60,000 into a system that is 23-years-old would not be a wise move when a brand-new chiller system costs $111,073.

Therefore, we are looking to put in a new, more energy-efficient chiller system that should have minimal cost of upkeep and be cheaper in the long-run for our district.

The second topic is the Harmon Field Stadium. This stadium was built in the 1930s and has served our district very well. We have talked to demolition contractors regarding the cost of tearing down such a structure.

Their estimates indicate that the cost would be around $150,000. This is only the cost of razing the structure and does not include the cost of new bleachers (where the concrete stadium stands) or a new press box, which would cost an additional $300,000 for a total of around $450,000.

We then looked at what it would cost to refurbish and maintain the existing stadium for many years to come. The preliminary estimate of repairing the concrete portion of the stadium is around $100,000 or less. There will be some other costs involved with the metal bleachers on the home side, but the total cost will not come close to the $450,000 option.

The structural engineer that we have been talking to believes that the existing structure is strong and that the repaired property will last for many years to come. We want the facility to be safe; however, we also want to be fiscally responsible to our residents.

As a result, we believe that restoring the concrete portion of Harmon Field is the best way to go from historical, safety and fiscal standpoints.

Our permanent improvement levy from three years ago states that we would address Harmon Field projects in year three (2010) of the levy.

A delay in fixing the Harmon Field Stadium will increase the cost of refurbishing the stadium in the future or give us no choice but to tear the structure down when it deteriorates to the point that it cannot be refurbished.
Please call or stop in if you would like to discuss either of these topics.