Athletic director proposes gym reconfiguration, new scoreboards and locker‑room work; board weighs bids and funding options
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Summary
Athletic Director Mike Hanson outlined gym layout changes to improve traffic flow, trainer space and spectator seating and proposed new wireless scoreboards and storage; he said small items could be funded this year while locker‑room renovations would be a larger capital project requiring bids.
The Schuylkill Valley athletic director presented a facilities plan on Feb. 2 that ranged from low‑cost fixes to larger renovation ideas.
Mike Hanson described issues in both high‑school and middle‑school gyms: limited bench space that forces players into second rows, coaches seated in walkways, trainers lacking room to treat athletes, and scoreboard placement that obstructs sightlines and fan flow. He proposed reconfiguring bench and score‑table placement, using stadium chairs to expand the student section by about 40%, and replacing a hard‑wired middle‑school scoreboard with a wireless model so the controller could be located flexibly.
Hanson also detailed locker‑room problems: undersized or damaged lockers that cannot hold backpacks, outdated fixtures and showers unused for decades. He suggested removing central banks of lockers, adding modern lockers and benches, leveling floors, and creating safer, more functional spaces; he noted that those larger renovations would be higher‑cost and require contractor bids and design professional input.
Cost and funding: Hanson estimated mid‑range scoreboard costs in the $6,000–$10,000 range and said smaller items — storage containers or portable scoreboards — could be purchased this fiscal year if budget allows. For larger locker‑room work, he recommended soliciting design/architect bids and exploring fundraising and sponsorships; he described prior success soliciting local businesses at his previous district.
Board members encouraged phased work (pick‑offs such as a new middle‑school scoreboard first), requested cost estimates and electrical requirements, and reminded Hanson that some campus infrastructure and code implications might require architectural review.
Representative quote: "Most of the scoreboards are just like a typical 120; just plug in," Hanson said of many replacement options while acknowledging controllers and electrical hookups could add cost.
What’s next: Hanson will gather estimates and, where necessary, bids and bring specific budget requests back to buildings-and‑grounds and the finance committee for consideration.