Greene County approves $4.8 million for new Doak track, tennis court renovations at county high schools

The Greene County Legislative Body voted Jan. 21 to approve $4,812,192 in county funding to build a new track and field at Doak Elementary School and to renovate or add tennis courts at South Greene, Chuckey-Doak and North Greene high schools.

David McLain, director of Greene County Schools, presented plans and cost estimates prepared by Cope Architecture, telling commissioners the projects would provide county students a centralized, TSSAA-capable track and improved tennis facilities. "We want facilities that allow our students to practice and host meets," McLain said during the presentation portion of the meeting.

Cope Architecture's packet, included in the meeting materials, estimated the Doak track and field project at about $3.05 million in construction costs; after contingency, general conditions, insurance and design fees the estimated total came to roughly $4.22 million for the track component alone. The packet listed additional estimates for tennis work: South Greene (four courts resurfaced) ~ $79,200 total with contingency and fees, Chuckey-Doak (resurface two courts, replace fence and build two additional courts) with new courts budgeted in the packet at about $200,000, and North Greene (four courts resurfaced) ~ $149,688 total with contingency and fees.

Commissioner Kathy Crawford moved to approve the funding, and Commissioner Jan Kiker seconded. Mayor Kevin Morrison called the vote by keypad; the clerk recorded 20 aye, 0 nay and 1 absent (Commissioner White). The resolution directs funding to be drawn from the Education Debt Service Fund.

The resolution's supporters argued that centralized track facilities would let county schools host sanctioned meets and that resurfacing tennis courts would bring worn facilities up to competitive standards. The architect's packet attached to the resolution includes line-item breakdowns for sitework, lighting, bleachers and other items that commissioners cited during discussion.

What happens next: the Greene County Board of Education and school staff will work with architects and contractors to finalize design and scheduling. Construction timelines, bid processes and contractor selection will follow the county's procurement rules and the school system's capital planning. The county resolution specifies the Education Debt Service Fund as the funding source.

Estimated project costs and funding sources were provided in the county packet; detailed budgets and contract awards will be posted once the county and school board complete competitive procurement and execute contracts.