Ballston Spa unveils $60M–$63M capital project plan; referendum set for Dec. 9

Ballston Spa Central School District officials on Sept. 3 formally launched a proposed capital project estimated at $60 million to $63 million and outlined a schedule that would put a public referendum on the measure on Dec. 9, 2025.

The proposal, presented by Rich Beckham of CS Arch and introduced by Superintendent Dr. Duka, targets upgrades across the district including air-conditioning for large gathering spaces, auditorium and media center renovations, a new wellness/fitness addition at the high school, an expanded athletic complex with a turf field and an eight-lane track, expanded tennis courts, parking changes, and infrastructure to support future electric school buses.

Beckham said the work is organized in phases intended to begin before and immediately after a successful referendum. "Phase 1a," he said, would replace aging high school cooling towers next summer, and subsequent phases would prioritize buildings with little or no existing air conditioning and the transportation infrastructure needed for electric buses. Beckham summarized the current project cost range as "between $60 and $63 million," saying the largest remaining cost uncertainty is the bus-charging infrastructure.

Why it matters: the project combines building renovations and large outdoor work that would affect athletic programming, transportation operations and taxpayer obligations. District leaders said the schedule and phasing were designed to balance immediate operational risks (failing chillers) with longer-term needs…