Shippensburg board advances facility planning; approves gym ceiling work and new rims as study of larger borrowing continues
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Summary
Facilities committee recommended and the board approved gym ceiling removal/reinstallation and additional basketball rims (combined cost about $122,574), discussed pool leak testing/liner estimates (~$70,000) and authorized continued work with EI Associates on architectural options as the district weighs potential $20–30M future borrowing for capacity projects.
The Facilities Committee reported several near‑term capital items and longer‑range planning needs tied to projected enrollment growth. Committee members said interior work is needed to permit installation of additional basketball backboards and rims and that part of the new gym ceiling must be removed and reinstalled to place structural supports; the two items together were presented as roughly $122,574 in total.
On the pool, committee members said the facility has been losing about 2,000 gallons per day; diagnostic testing to locate leaks was estimated at about $1,500 and pipe‑liner options were discussed with an approximate liner price near $70,000. The committee recommended that the maintenance director obtain bids and run further testing before larger repair decisions.
Given a district growth projection of about 500 students over five years, facilities recommended engaging EI Associates and an engineering partner to develop options (expand high school or repurpose other buildings) and provide time‑and‑materials estimates for preliminary designs. The board approved engaging EI Associates to assist in planning and preliminary design work and approved the ceiling/rim projects by roll call.
Board members emphasized the need to weigh phased construction vs. a single large borrowing: “Is it better to piecemeal the project to where you don't have to put out $30,000,000…or do you do a larger bond?” one member asked, and the committee recommended studying options before finalizing borrowing plans.
