Steelton‑Highspire SD unveils multi‑phase stadium revitalization and community hub plan funded by grants and private donors

Steelton‑Highspire School District officials and partners on Monday unveiled a multi‑phase plan to revitalize Cottage Hill stadium into a combined athletic and community hub aimed at education, career readiness and wellness.

"This is about legacy. This is about opportunity," said Michael Wanner, school board president, as he described the project as a ‘‘community transformation’’ that reaches beyond ‘‘bricks, turf, and stadium lights.’’ District staff, the Roller Nation Foundation and On Hill Development LLC outlined a fundraising strategy centered on grants and private donations.

District spokesperson and event host Leanne Thorn Becky, who identified herself as an alumnus and recent district employee, walked attendees through renderings and a three‑phase schedule: Phase 1 would upgrade the turf, lighting and stormwater system and build a PIAA‑compliant six‑lane track; Phase 2 would demolish and replace the grandstand (with plans to salvage historic bricks and a Bethlehem Steel girder); Phase 3 would construct a Career Education and Wellness Center that organizers said could include classrooms, a daycare, counseling space, a fitness studio and potentially an indoor turf area.

On Hill Development’s Sean O'Toole said his firm was retained to secure financing and stated the campaign plans to rely on grant funding rather than district operating dollars: "We plan to do that 100% with grant money and without contributions from the public," he said. Marita Kelly of On Hill detailed targeted programs including Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grants, RACP (Commonwealth Office of the Budget), PennDOT multimodal programs, NFL/LISC field grants, USA Football grants, neighborhood assistance tax credits and several private foundations.

JJ Carnes, the district’s business manager and a Roller Nation Foundation board member, outlined giving options and sponsorship packages for donors. Carnes said donations to the Roller Nation Foundation (the district‑supporting 501(c)(3)) will be tax‑deductible and urged alumni and regional networks to help. He added context for the private campaign, saying the district previously carried a large negative fund balance: "At the 2122, our school district's fund balance was negative $26,000,000," he said, and framed private fundraising as a path to advance the project without using operating funds.

Speakers and alumni emphasized broader benefits beyond athletics. Coach Andrew Irby, the program’s head coach and athletic director, said the site would serve as a community hub for youth, adults and elders, and stressed education and mental toughness goals. Students and recent alumni who spoke credited the Roller program with academic and life outcomes; Samantha Neidlinger, director of student services and an alumnus, said upgraded facilities would expand access to extracurricular and classroom activities and allow the district to reinstate Head Start programming that had been paused because of space constraints.

Organizers also presented ambassador outreach, including recorded messages from alumni Jordan Hill and Troy Drayton and in‑person remarks from Dave Sullivan, a longtime alumnus and campaign ambassador. Sullivan and others described a coordinated marketing and fundraising push; organizers said a project landing page and dedicated giving portal would be available within 24–48 hours.

Next steps: organizers said the campaign will begin pursuing the listed grants and donor outreach immediately and urged the public to attend a planned press conference the following day between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for a further announcement. No formal board votes or funding commitments from district operating funds were announced at the event.

Sources and attributions: quotes and details in this article come from remarks at the Steelton‑Highspire School District unveiling event by Michael Wanner (school board president), Leanne Thorn Becky (district employee/host), Sean O'Toole and Marita Kelly (On Hill Development), JJ Carnes (business manager/Roller Nation Foundation), Coach Andrew Irby (head coach/athletic director), Samantha Neidlinger (director of student services), Dave Sullivan (ambassador), and recorded ambassador messages from Jordan Hill and Troy Drayton.