District on track for new stadium
Photo by Nevin Rauch
Renovations to Milton’s Alumni Stadium may begin as soon as next spring or summer, according to Athletic Director Mr. Rod Harris.
According to Mr. Harris, the school board approved spending up to $5.9 million for the stadium project in September.
Mr. Harris said that when construction begins, it might take as long as six months to complete. The project will begin by demolishing everything and digging out the ground, he added.
Mr. Harris said there will be a new concession stand, lights and turf, home bleachers with storage and restrooms and an eight-lane weathered/rubber track.
According to Mr. Harris, the cost of construction is estimated to be around $5 million. He added the school district will pay for all of the facility renovations. The company doing the construction has not been decided, he said. Mr. John Howard from Architectural Studio is drawing the plans for the stadium and a meeting will be held with the school board to decide for approval and changes Mr. Harris added. This process will repeat until everything is right, he said. He added that these meetings are not yet scheduled
“I am excited that it is actually happening: I’ve been here 11 years and it is well, well, well deserved and overdue. I’ve been waiting a long time for this to happen,” Mr. Harris said. He added the school district is behind, as most schools have a turf field and a rubber track while Milton has a grass field and cinder track.
Mr. Harris said depending on how long the project takes, some sports practices and games will have to be played at neighboring schools or universities. Other schools have relied on neighboring schools in similar cases, he added.
Track and Cross Country Coach Mr. Jonathon Dick said he believes that having a new track would be “fantastic” and improve athletes. A black and orange track would help instill pride as the district hosts invitationals, Mr. Dick said.
“I think we’ll have to worry less about injuries, be less intimidated at nicer facilities and have no more excuses from the runners for not hitting their times,” he added.
