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Regional School District 13 building committee asks for a fieldhouse vision as budget pressure tightens
Summary
Committee members and coaches were asked to help define a prioritized vision for the high‑school fieldhouse — now used mainly for bathrooms and storage — noting health‑department constraints and that the district is facing an extremely tight budget year; the topic will remain on upcoming agendas for phased planning.
The Regional School District 13 Building Committee on Dec. 17 discussed goals and a phased vision for the high‑school fieldhouse, which currently serves mainly as bathrooms and storage. Committee members said they want more input from coaches and athletic staff to define priorities such as a trainer room, a dedicated team room and improved storage, while recognizing funding limits.
A student representative said the space is used informally by athletes to warm up and escape wind during cold weather: "for some of the workouts we've done just when it's cold outside, we'll go in there... the majority of it would need to be storage," the student said, noting that careful organization could free space for a small team room. Board members and staff discussed options such as a modest trainer area, internal team space and potential concession improvements, while cautioning that adding cooking or extensive food service would trigger health‑department requirements and higher costs.
Participants raised technical and regulatory details: a portable hand sink is currently in place near the concessions area but full food service would likely require additional equipment (for example oil/water separations and hoods) and additional health‑department approvals. The committee suggested exploring modern, lower‑cost options such as induction cooking for limited concession needs and agreed that a clear vision driven by coaches and athletic staff is a prerequisite for budgeting.
Several members stressed the district’s fiscal constraints: with the district developing an austerity budget, committee members said large up‑front funding commitments are unlikely and recommended a phased approach and searching for alternative funding sources. The building committee agreed to keep the fieldhouse on future agendas, solicit input from athletics, sketch a prioritized vision, and consider phased improvements over multiple budget cycles.
What’s next: staff and the facilities/building committee will work with the athletic director and coaches to produce a short vision sketch and cost‑estimate options for review at upcoming meetings so the committee can consider phased capital planning or alternative grants.
