City approves Williamsport Area School District athletic‑complex renovations, including new field house and courts

Williamsport — The City Council on Sept. 18 approved a land‑development plan from Williamsport Area School District to renovate the athletic complex and stadium at 2990 West Fourth Street.

The approved plan covers two stadium areas and ancillary facilities. Changes include a two‑story field house (the plan footprint was adjusted from about 11,573 square feet to approximately 12,102 square feet), replacement of the press box, new concession and restroom facilities, relocation of accessible parking closer to the new seating area, resurfacing and replacement of tennis courts, removal of existing basketball courts and installation of pickleball courts and storage buildings, and paving of a lower parking area that had been unimproved. The district also proposed widening and paving walkways to meet ADA accessibility requirements.

Eric Smithgall, the city engineer who reviewed stormwater elements, told the council the project’s stormwater impacts are limited and can be managed largely with modifications to an existing basin. Drew Serjanek, the architect of record with Crabtree and Associates, said the district’s intent is to bring stadium support facilities “up to par with the field and the bleachers” and to create multiuse second‑floor space for team meetings, a golf simulator and community events. Dr. Bowers of the district described the second floor as a space for alumni events, veteran seating on game nights and culinary‑program catering opportunities.

The district representatives said the tennis courts have deteriorated and the plan replaces them with new hard‑surfaced courts and dedicated pickleball courts; lighting will be installed to allow evening community use under controlled hours. City staff confirmed the plan was reviewed by Lycoming County Planning and the stormwater authority and that remaining construction issues will be addressed during building and permit review.

Councilmembers asked about parking and timeline. The project team said they expect to bid the work in about a month; a firm construction schedule and completion date were not specified in council discussion. The council approved the land‑development plan on a 5–0 vote.

Why it matters: The project replaces aging stadium support spaces and failing locker rooms and restrooms, and the district said the new facilities will support expanded community uses and events that the current spaces cannot accommodate.

Next steps: The district will submit building permits and complete the bid process; final construction and permit timelines will be set during the bid and permitting stage.