Board continues work on proposed softball field after questions over floodplain, cost and Title IX

Board members discussed a proposed new softball field design and preliminary cost estimates from CHA during the facilities portion of the June 17 meeting and asked administration to continue working with the firm to refine scope and pricing.

During discussion trustees raised multiple site‑specific concerns: FEMA 100‑ and 500‑year floodplain lines appear to intersect the proposed outfield; administrators and project staff said those FEMA lines can be outdated and that the design would include raising the field elevation and drainage improvements. Facilities staff said the field would be built up and that more detailed engineering as part of formal design would address floodplain and drainage issues.

Trustees also asked whether the proposed design provides an equitable experience under Title IX compared with the district’s other multi‑purpose field. Administration, citing the district’s Title IX coordinator’s review, said the proposed field includes comparable playing-surface standards and core amenities (restroom access, concession/snack‑stand access, dugouts, scoreboard and safe playing surfaces) even if some cosmetic elements differ.

Board members asked about cost‑saving options under consideration, including reducing the number of light poles (a potential six‑figure savings), extending existing bulkheads to shift the field location and preserving existing batting cages instead of constructing new ones. Administration said the current design is preliminary and that a notice to proceed with CHA would kick off final design work and engineering needed to answer outstanding questions about floodplain mitigation, foul‑ball netting and parking/driveway impacts.

The board approved discussion and direction to continue with CHA refinement; no final construction award or bid was approved that evening.