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Board tables McKinley field agreement after parents and trustees raise liability, maintenance and access concerns
Summary
Trustees tabled a proposed agreement with the William McKinley facility because the draft lacked detail on insurance, indemnity, maintenance responsibilities, restroom/shelter access and scheduling; administration will pursue a more detailed contract with McKinley and Penn Hills and prepare contingency practice plans for August.
The Riverview School District board deferred action on a proposed agreement to use the William McKinley soccer field after trustees, parents and coaches raised multiple concerns about field condition, liability language, insurance coverage and whether Penn Hills borough (which may own the property) should be a party to any contract.
During extended discussion board members said the draft agreement the administration circulated lacked specificity on what McKinley would be required to provide (regular mowing and upkeep, restroom access, shelter in storms), did not clearly allocate indemnity or insurance responsibility, and contained no enforcement mechanism to ensure the field would remain safe and playable. Parents and coaches described prior seasons in which the field was in poor condition and noted a lack of restrooms and shelter.
Administration said it will ask the borough (Penn Hills) and McKinley to provide clearer written commitments, obtain and verify certificates of liability, and work with the district solicitor to ensure indemnity and maintenance language is explicit. Trustees also requested a short-term contingency plan so fall teams are not left without practice space if the McKinley arrangement cannot be confirmed: administration was asked to examine alternate nearby fields (Creekside was suggested by a resident as better maintained) and indoor paid options, with a preference for cost-neutral adjustments first.
The board voted to table item 19a and scheduled the item for reconsideration at the August 3 meeting after administration brings back contract language and contingency options.
