Avon board reviews conceptual master plan: turf fields, expanded press box and a transportation center among priorities

Board members received a conceptual update on the Avon High School master plan and community input sessions, prompted by the district's recent acquisition of the parcel west of the high school.

Presenter Dr. Windham framed the work as conceptual only and described three principal drivers: increased extracurricular demand, playability in wet conditions, and long-term stewardship of taxpayer dollars. "We want to provide our students with opportunities and facilities that are competitive within our conference," she said, and clarified this work would focus on the debt service fund and not on the referendum that supports classroom staffing.

Concept highlights presented to the community and the board included converting varsity baseball and softball fields to turf, adding two practice turf fields on the newly acquired west parcel, expanded bleachers and a two-level press box with more divided workspaces, and relocation of band parking to reduce conflicts with tennis. The presenter noted field house expansion would be desirable but the district is prioritizing outdoor field relief and lower-cost indoor options such as a pole-barn facility to provide practice space for baseball, softball and golf.

Student-athletes and band members who spoke at community sessions emphasized the need for space: "It's definitely helped me make a lot of friends... it's taught me dedication, hard work," one student said, while athletes described canceled contests and constrained practice options; the presenter noted the district canceled 19 baseball/softball games this spring because fields were too wet.

The board heard comparisons to neighboring districts (Center Grove, Westfield, Brownsburg) that have multiple turf fields and two-level press boxes. On maintenance and operations, facilities staff estimated potential savings in natural-grass upkeep but warned of long-term operational costs that will need to be analyzed.

The presenter described transportation center needs as a second debt priority: the current 2002 facility requires expanded bays to accommodate six buses, ventilation and circulation upgrades, and ancillary office/restroom improvements. The transportation project was included in the conceptual debt priorities because of safety and operational constraints.

Staff outlined a procurement and schedule roadmap: bring a design-criteria developer and technical review committee recommendation to the July board meeting, begin financing/resolutions in July'August, select a design-builder in September, complete design-phase reporting January'March, and award a construction contract in early 2027 with goal of phased substantial completion by 2029. "Our goal being that we could break ground in spring of 2027," the presenter said.

Community feedback from two listening sessions (about 65 attendees, 39 provided input) was broadly positive about capacity, playability and opportunities to host larger events, while questions focused on parking, traffic, neighborhood lighting/impact and long-term costs. Staff will continue stakeholder outreach, post materials online and bring design criteria and financing options back to the board for formal action.

What's next: staff will recommend a design criteria developer at the July meeting and pursue technical reviews and financing steps through the fall; the board will consider formal resolutions and the selection of a design-builder later this year.