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Sidney board hears $3.4 million plan to upgrade Sports Complex; committee to continue fundraising
Summary
A presenter outlined a $3.4 million plan to replace the Sports Complex track, install new turf, add a two‑story press box/community room and four locker rooms; the board signaled consent for the committee to continue fundraising after the presenter said the campaign is about $1 million short.
The Sidney City School Board on Tuesday heard a detailed presentation on a proposed $3.4 million renovation of the district Sports Complex that would add synthetic turf, a new eight‑lane all‑weather track, upgraded LED lighting, expanded seating and a two‑story press box with a community room.
Mitch, the presentation lead, said the plan includes four locker rooms that can be subdivided for multiple simultaneous events and roughly 1,000 spectator seats. "We're looking at a 3,400,000 project," Mitch said, adding that the campaign is currently about $1,000,000 short of the goal: "We're 1000000 dollars from the finish line." He said about 71% of the project funding is already committed from board support and a major donor and that the group plans to pursue additional large donors, a community foundation campaign and a loan arranged through People's Bank (now F & M Partners and Merchants).
Board members asked how the project would proceed if the final funds were not secured within the committee's target window. Mitch described a set of contingency choices, including reducing the size of locker‑room space or altering dirt work, and said the committee will present a preferred and a compromise version to contractors for final pricing. He projected the district could begin construction if fundraising goes as planned: "You start in May ... I think realistically, you're talking September 20" for a grand opening timeframe.
The board did not take formal action on the project at the meeting. Chair (Speaker 2) and other members signaled general consent for the committee to continue fundraising and to return with refined plans and contractor proposals. Staff said the first step will be to finalize designs with preferred contractor Ferguson and to engage large donors.
Next steps: the committee will continue outreach to major donors, finalize a preferred design and bring back a recommended scope and budget for board consideration.
