District narrows arena design to cut costs; $4.3M raised toward $5.5M goal

District staff updated trustees on the arena project, describing design changes intended to reduce cost and reporting $4.3 million raised toward a $5.5 million budget.

The presenter said the building footprint was rotated to take advantage of topography and reduce site costs, and that parking and septic capacity had been scaled back in early estimates to bring the project closer to available funds. “We have kind of turned things over to both of our foundations,” the presenter said, noting York School District 1 Education Foundation and the Cloverleaf Foundation are leading fundraising. The district also said the county and DOT signaled a traffic impact analysis would not be required given the expected use patterns, which the presenter said would save “a lot of money toward this project.”

Design specifics cited by the presenter included current fixed seating for 1,500 with room in plans to expand by another 1,000 seats as funding permits; planned meeting and concession spaces; and an office/check-in area for York County 4‑H participants. The presenter said renderings and final design phases are nearly complete and that plans will be submitted to the Office of School Facilities (OSF) in December or January for approval before groundbreaking.

Trustees pressed staff on whether the scope could be reduced to match the $4.3 million raised; staff said additional fundraising and grant applications remain in process and that they will provide updated cost estimates in the coming months. The presenter said a target groundbreaking date of March 31, 2025 remains, but cost and final OSF approvals will affect the schedule.

The board discussion noted plans to present before county staff and county council as the project moves forward.