Hancock Schools to move ahead on improvement projects
Proposals include new baseball, softball fields at Weir High School
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NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Hancock County Board of Education Monday agreed to move forward with a series of capital improvement projects for the district, including one which would see the development of new baseball and softball fields on the campus of Weir High School.
Jim Sauer and Thomas Wippenbeck of McKinley and Associates were on hand at Monday's school board meeting to discuss aspects of the field project, which had been discussed in the spring.
"The board had agreed to hire an architect for a feasibility study," Superintendent Dawn Petrovich said. "This is the first presentation."
Wippenbeck noted the designs discussed Monday are still preliminary.
"We wanted to get the concept out in front of you," he said.
According to Sauer, current plans for the field projects focus on two areas of the Weir High campus: The current softball field, which would be converted into a baseball field, and a student parking area, which would be turned into a new softball field.
The new baseball facility would expand on the existing field, with options to use restrooms and concession areas currently designated for Jimmy Carey Stadium. Monday's presentation included the installation of artificial turf, and the idea of using the outfield area as a practice site for football and soccer.
The proposed softball field would be built on an area currently used for student parking, with the left field along a hillside located between the Weir High campus and the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center. The project would necessitate a realignment of a portion of Red Rider Road as it comes onto the campus.
"It becomes a presentation," Sauer said of the softball field. "It's an entry piece."
The decision to continue with McKinley followed an executive session for further discussion on the contract, including finances for the projects.
In addition to the fields, proposed projects include improvements to various classrooms throughout the county, and to heating, ventilation and air conditioning units in several buildings.
Funds would be derived from the use of bonds, county levy funds and from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund made available by the CARES Act.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)