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Board weighs short‑ and long‑term options for robotics field at Fitch High, with funding and permitting questions
Summary
The district presented vendor quotes for a clear‑span structure to house a robotics practice and competition field at Fitch High (half‑field vs. full‑field). Board members pressed for an itemized, architect‑vetted estimate, clarification of municipal permitting/CIP pathways and a short‑term bridging plan so the robotics team can practice in 2026–27.
School leaders told the Groton Board on June 15 that they had explored multiple short‑ and long‑term approaches to give the robotics team a dedicated practice and event field at Fitch High School, and presented two vendor cost scenarios and earlier discarded options.
Staff described prior short‑lived options (inflatable bubble, container/fabric ideas) and introduced a vendor proposal for a metal clear‑span building. The smaller, half‑field vendor quote was roughly $106,672 for the structure with a total budget approaching $200,000 after a concrete slab, HVAC and utilities; a full‑field clear‑span quote was roughly $143,252 for the structure and about $243,252 all‑in. Staff emphasized that some site work, foundation costs and utility hookups were excluded from vendor line items and would add to the final price.
Board members and staff discussed permitting, town approval and timeline risks. Several members warned that a permanent structure could fall under municipal CIP review and require town council approval or bonding, which would add months to the schedule; others urged a parallel search for short‑term rental or gym space to ensure the team has a place to practice this coming school year. Several board members asked that the vendor materials be vetted by the district architect to produce an itemized scope and a realistic timeline and to identify site‑prep costs (grading, slab prep, doors, insulation and utilities).
Curriculum alignment and program priorities were also raised: one board member said she would not support further pursuit unless the facility was directly tied to high‑school curriculum offerings; others argued robotics serves both curricular and extracurricular goals and compared it to other athletic and STEM investments.
Why it matters: The robotics team has relied on borrowed spaces and off‑site sites; a dedicated, on‑campus field could improve programming, enable hosting events and support STEM expansion, but carries cost, permitting and timeline tradeoffs.
Next steps: Staff will check with the town manager about the CIP/approval pathway, request an itemized estimate and cost breakdown vetted by the district architect, and simultaneously pursue temporary local options (gym, rented warehouse or business‑park space) to bridge the next school year if a permanent build is not feasible in time.
