Crestwood athletic complex: district requests $4.7 million to finish phased renovations
Summary
District staff presented a prioritized list of remaining needs at Crestwood including permanent restroom units, field-goal netting, fencing, parking improvements, additional seating and LED lighting, and asked the board to support phase-two funding that would be part of spring and fall capital bond proceeds.
Sumter School District administrators told trustees May 5 that the Crestwood Athletic Complex remains in phased development and requested board support to complete remaining work estimated at $4.7 million.
Samuel Myers and school administrators presented a prioritized list of items they said are needed to finish the site: three additional permanent restroom units (including plumbing and lift stations), field-goal netting and installation (moved up for safety concerns), fencing/stanchions, parking lot resurfacing and grading for additional grass parking, an additional visitors'press box and 600 seats, LED lighting to replace parts no longer available for older fixtures, and a potential field house with architecture/engineering costs for a later phase.
Myers said the field and track already have been used for soccer and track meets and that the administration visited comparable sites to shape priorities. He reported preliminary quotes for island curbing removal to add roughly 40 parking spaces by reconfiguring existing areas and said administrators plan to use existing lots near the gym, auditorium and band practice field for overflow parking. Trustees asked about sidewalks and a walkway from overflow parking; staff said that is under consideration.
Financial context: administrators said the project has been approached in phases and that roughly $4 million has already been spent on the overall project; completion would require an additional estimated $4.7 million to finish Crestwood work and support other stadium plans in the district. The superintendent and CFO also presented a spring 2025 capital bond plan for $5 million (planned county distribution around May 15) that would fund HVAC repairs, finish certain Crestwood priorities ($1.5 million), district painting, teacher/staff technology and an other-facilities contingency. A fall 2025 bond issuance was described as a larger funding source for finishing projects district-wide, including Lakewood and Sumter High field work.
Trustees asked for earlier cost history, a clearer total-to-date spent figure and a formal project management plan; several trustees urged caution about scope creep and suggested procuring a project manager for multi-site work. Myers said additional work could proceed in phases and that some items (like a field house) may come later pending funding. No vote was taken to authorize the $4.7 million; staff said they would return with updated cost and phasing information and procurement steps.
Ending: Administrators requested continued board guidance and approval to include Crestwood phase-two priorities in the spring/fall bond planning; trustees asked for updated cost accounting and a project-management approach before further commitments.
