Cheltenham SD outlines high school stadium upgrades, turf and expanded seating planned

Cheltenham School District officials and architects presented design and schedule details for a planned upgrade to the district high school stadium, including synthetic turf, an eight‑lane track, larger bleachers and a new gatehouse.

Laura Falligan, product manager at KCBA Architects, told the committee the project scope includes a "new synthetic turf multi sport field," increasing the track "from 6 to 8 lanes, which will be in more accordance with the PIAA standards," and new bleachers for approximately 3,000 spectators to allow separation of home and away fans. She said the gatehouse would include dual access toilet facilities — roughly 30 toilets — accessible from both the stadium and public sides, and concession counters but "no cooking items."

Why it matters: the upgrades change capacity and circulation at the stadium and are scheduled to align with the fall athletic season. The committee heard that permitting and bid steps still have to be completed before construction can begin.

Architects and construction managers provided progress and schedule details. KCBA said the district already received planning approval from the township in November–December 2024 and has advertised a bid for bleachers. SiteLogic was identified as the district's construction manager. The team said the County Conservation District review is ongoing with an anticipated completion by May, and that remaining scopes would be bid in a multi‑prime format. Fall construction was estimated to begin after the County Conservation District MPDS permit is issued; presenters said the target was to complete field and track work in time for the district's first football game on August 29, 2025.

Committee members and the construction manager discussed phasing to minimize disruption during the season. A committee member asked whether the gatehouse would be finished before the season; presenters said that gatehouse work is on a different timeline and that final sequencing will be set once the contractor is hired. A KCBA representative said SiteLogic will "work about how we do phasing so that you can safely, come and watch the first game" while some construction is ongoing.

Community users raised questions about concession operational needs. Tara Knox of Elkins Park, identifying herself as a football parent and fundraiser, asked whether the new concession space would support current equipment: "Are we making sure that the water line and the electrical electricity is up to date? Because we do have several refrigerators in there, as well as pizza ovens that we sell pizza during the football games." Falligan replied there would be sinks and a new electrical system in the gatehouse but confirmed there will be no mechanical cooking hood or fryer exhaust in the concession area; cooking equipment that requires a hood would not be supported.

No formal committee vote on construction contracts or change orders was taken at the meeting. Presenters listed upcoming procurement steps — turf and track bids already in progress, remaining scopes to be bid in February — and noted that construction start depends on the County Conservation District MPDS permit and contractor sequencing.

The presenters and the committee emphasized coordination steps: SiteLogic as construction manager will produce a phasing plan, permit milestones remain, and certain components (gatehouse versus field/track) may complete on different timelines.

The committee did not adopt any policy or contract at the meeting; staff and the construction manager will return with additional procurement and phasing details as they are finalized.