Facilities subcommittee prioritizes interim stadium upgrades, urges ‘bridge‑gap’ fieldhouse and restrooms

At the April 8 facilities subcommittee meeting, members said immediate locally funded priorities should focus on making the stadium functional for an anticipated growth in events: a basic fieldhouse with restrooms and concessions, improved visitor parking, and planning for bleacher upgrades.

Rationale: committee members described this list as a pragmatic, lower‑cost set of improvements that can be staged independently of the OFCC‑funded master plan and that would help during the interim while larger campus decisions are finalized. Members discussed cost ranges for a basic shell with restrooms/concessions — rough estimates mentioned in the meeting ranged from about $500,000 up to $750,000 depending on finish and whether restrooms and plumbing are included — and volunteers, contractor discounts and in‑kind donations were raised as ways to reduce local costs.

Scope and constraints: members noted procurement rules (engineered/stamped drawings, multiple quotes above statutory thresholds), utility and ADA requirements, and liability limits on using student labor (CTC programs could contribute but licensing and insurance matter). The committee heard that building concurrently with other construction can reduce cost; it also acknowledged that some LFI elements (for example a full auditorium) are larger‑scale and belong in the long‑term master plan.

Next steps: the committee recommended the facilities subcommittee include the interim fieldhouse and associated parking/bleacher planning on the LFI priority list presented to the board, and to pursue community contributions and quick procurement steps if the board and treasurer approve local funds.

No formal appropriation or procurement decision was recorded at this meeting.