Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board discusses tennis and track reserves; tennis courts need larger project estimated at $300,000
Summary
RSU 5 trustees reviewed reserve accounts and heard that the three public tennis courts at the high school will likely require a roughly $300,000 replacement, prompting discussion of grant and fundraising options to speed repairs.
RSU 5 board members reviewed long-term reserves for athletic facilities and heard that the district will need additional funds or fundraising to replace the tennis courts.
Finance director Kelly (last name not provided) told the board the track-and-field reserve was created in 2019 to spread out future replacement costs for turf and track surfaces; the district has been contributing roughly $35,000 per year and expects the reserve will total about $280,000 after next year's addition. The tennis reserve, created in July 2021, will have about $190,000 after the 2025-26 planned addition but resurfacing or full replacement of three tennis courts was priced at approximately $300,000 in a recent estimate.
Board members and community speakers discussed options to accelerate work, including combining district reserve funds with outside fundraising and seeking USTA (United States Tennis Association) grants; one board member said USTA grants could yield $25,000 to $35,000. The board's facilities committee agreed to place the tennis project on its next agenda for discussion and to consider donor partnerships to shorten the timeline.
Board members asked whether the courts are safe to play on now. Facilities staff said grounds personnel inspect courts, nets and poles and that current courts are safe for play but do show wear and need significant work to improve surface evenness and longevity. The board noted prioritization decisions in the capital plan (septic, boilers and other infrastructure) have delayed tennis work, and that resurfacing costs have increased over time.
No formal vote was taken; board members asked the facilities committee to explore options, including grant applications, fundraising and potential re-prioritization of capital work.
