Coaches, students and parents urge board to rebuild aging athletic complex, citing safety and accessibility

Richland County Community School District No. 1 coaches, student-athletes and parents asked the Board of Education on Aug. 14 to prioritize replacing and modernizing the district’s athletic complex, saying current fields, locker rooms and track conditions pose injury risks and exclude community members with disabilities. The presentations and public comments focused on safety, program access and lost revenue for local events.

The coaches and athletic staff — including RCHS Instructional Technology Coach Ryan Denton speaking on behalf of several coaches and Athletic Director Vanessa Van Dyke — said participation in athletics is high and that deteriorating facilities put athletes at risk and limit the district’s ability to host events. “As impressive as the results have been, they are not sustainable unless something changes,” Denton said, citing mold in Betts Hall and pest problems that affect locker-room and multipurpose spaces. He added that cracks, holes and uneven surfaces have already forced teams to play elsewhere.

The speakers said facility limits reduce competitive opportunities. Track coach Luke Carmody and others noted the track lacks eight lanes, preventing the district from hosting conference meets; Carmody said, “We have close to 50 kids on our track team… we can’t even host a conference meet because we don’t have 8 lanes.” Coach Amy Jillian told the board that 6‑lane tracks are now obsolete and urged construction of an eight‑lane track, adding, “The time to demolish and rebuild our athletic facilities is now. Our kids, schools, and community need it. Please do it well and do it right.”

Student-athletes described injuries and limited practice options caused by field divots, broken pitching mounds and uneven throwing surfaces. Senior athletes Casey Toman and Gavin Cawthorn said damaged infields, divots in practice areas and an uphill throwing surface for shot put and discus restrict training and increase injury risk.

Public commenters raised inclusion and community-use arguments. Seventh‑grade teacher and parent Mackenzie Denton said her daughter, who uses a special‑needs stroller, cannot navigate gravel paths or access bleachers, and that there is no safe, dignified place to change for people with disabilities. “If we truly believe in 1 Tiger Nation, then it should be a place where everyone belongs,” Denton said.

Coaches also addressed morale and retention: long-tenured coaches said they make repairs themselves and raised concern that failing facilities could drive volunteers and coaches away. Several speakers referenced the 2018 passage of a 1% sales tax and said they were told high‑school building and athletic improvements would follow; they asked the board to explain why upgrades have not occurred despite the sales‑tax revenue.

Board members and staff responded by scheduling further planning and finance work. Administration set a special meeting with FGMA Architects for Aug. 21 to gather board input on the sports complex and said the district will consult its investment banker and review funding options, including bonding against 1% sales-tax revenue; Bernardi Securities’ representative was later discussed as a resource to analyze refinancing and borrowing alternatives. No construction contract or final funding decision was made on Aug. 14.

The board heard multiple proposals and concerns — safety risks, ADA access, hosting and revenue losses, coach retention, and the scope of any new complex — and asked administration to return with refined scope, cost estimates and financing options at later meetings.

The board scheduled a session with FGMA Architects to collect design direction and agreed to pursue additional financial analysis before deciding whether to authorize design or bonding steps.