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This site plan map shows potential locations of athletic facilities that the Celina BOE must decide on by May of next year.
CELINA - Celina City Schools board members have until May to decide on a master plan for what is being called the "East Campus," centered around the new grades 7-12 building, according to recommendations made by school building project architect Garmann Miller.
Celina City Schools has a combined $8.4 million remaining in its locally funded initiative (LFI)/locally funded other (LFO) budget to apply toward a master facilities plan for the campus, Matt Hibner, Garmann Miller's director of architecture, revealed to school board members at Monday night's regular meeting.
That includes $4.12 million in LFO funds to be spent on improvements outside of the state co-funded school building project, $200,000 in the Otten Family fund earmarked for track and field, $277,355 in additional state grant funds for track and field, $2.14 million in LFI funds for state co-funded parts of the project and $1.75 million from interest on LFI funds.
"Now, it was known that that was never going to account for everything within that overall budget," Hibner said of the LFO budget. "There were a lot of ideals they want to have but maybe not a possibility. So just to kind of frame that, we knew at the time that all these things would not necessarily fit within that LFO budgeting."
The goal of a master plan, Hibner stressed, is to set the direction for the long-term facility needs and wants of the district.
"We're continuing to build this master plan as a road map for decisions that are needed along the way," he said.
However, Hibner said it would cost at least $18.15 million to complete a list of potential project scope items, including a new track and field facility, new football stadium at the track and field facility, and new varsity soccer field.
Several items of the master plan have already been determined. The existing middle school building will remain and be potentially reprogrammed for other district needs. The CAPT building will also remain in its current use, Hibner pointed out.
The existing tennis courts will remain in their current location, as will the existing varsity soccer field, at least for now. Depending on board members' ultimate decision, the varsity soccer field may be re-purposed as a practice soccer field.
The future track and field will be relocated to the east of the new grades 7-12 building and feature a multipurpose field inside the track.
Fountain Street will remain entirely intact as it currently sits, and the Tri Star addition of the existing high school building will remain, its future use to be determined.
There is a cafetorium in the new grades 7-12 building. But there are no provisions for a stand-alone auditorium/performing arts center on East Campus.
Also, school board members in March voted to spare the life of the iconic but outdated Fieldhouse to make use of its locker rooms and other amenities, yet emphasized that high school basketball games will be played in a new gymnasium once the ongoing grades 7-12 school building is completed.
Numerous decisions need to be made, including when the varsity football field will be relocated to the new track and field facility on the East Campus. The move would cost at least $4.34 million. This figure would include 3,000 spectator home seats on the west side and another 1,000 visitor seats on the east side - in addition to the 500 seats accounted for in the track and field facility - 500 north end-zone student seats, press box on the west side, scoreboard and goal posts.
It would cost an additional $1.34 million for visitor side restrooms, concessions and storage building, and another $1.37 million for a ticket booth, masonry piers, plaza, decorative fencing, revised CAPT parking lot, entry drive and associated utilities infrastructure improvements.
The anticipated budget for the track and field complex is $3.68 million. The scope of work includes an eight-lane track, area for field events, 500 bleacher seats on the east side, small press box on the east side, stadium lighting, fencing, camera building, necessary infrastructure and utilities, and a multipurpose, irrigated natural turf field.
The base of the track could be upgraded to post-tensioned concrete in lieu of asphalt for an extra $564,212. The upgrade would come with a 50-year warranty as opposed to the asphalt base's five-year warranty.
Garmann Miller and Peterson Construction recommend to not start construction of the new track and field facility until 2027, ideally after the partial high school building demolition occurs.
Hibner said it would cost $3.57 million to repurpose the Tri Star addition into an athletic building. This would create large-group restrooms, family restrooms, concessions, a referee locker room, student locker rooms, a wrestling practice room and general athletic storage.
The project would also include a new wall and south facade to "button-up" to the salvaged portion of the existing building, as well as utility re-feeds, basic HVAC system reconnections, increase in plumbing fixtures and full exterior wall restoration.
Repurposing the Tri Star addition would cost less than constructing a new building. Plus its location would support several sports programs, the band and other extracurricular programs and events.
Hibner said the varsity soccer field could remain in its current location. He estimated a cost of $100,000 for additional walkways, revised gate locations and a ticket booth.
Or, the field could be relocated west of the existing tennis courts for $1.85 million. That figure includes a natural turf field, irrigation, 500 bleacher seats on the west side, press box, lighting, dugouts on the east side, fencing, scoreboard, sound system and associated improvements.
If relocated, the soccer field would be closer to the other athletic fields and support facilities.
Moreover, it would cost $988,334 if the school would decide to go with synthetic turf instead of natural turf on any of the athletic fields. A synthetic turf would provide a consistent playing surface, with minimal concern of weather-related delays and cancellations.
It would also put the sites in consideration for hosting playoff games, potentially generating revenue for the school district.
However, a synthetic turf surface would need to be replaced every 10-12 years.
Hibner cited the following potential project costs, totaling $18.15 million:
• TBD - existing middle school renovations for district office, athletics and Mercer County Head Start
• TBD - keeping the existing fieldhouse with minimal renovations
• $3.68 million - new track and field facility
• $988,334 - upgrade multi-purpose field to synthetic turf
• $564,212 - upgrade to post-tensioned concrete base in lieu of asphalt
• $4.34 million - new football stadium at track and field facility
• $1.34 million - visitor side restroom, concessions and storage building
• $1.37 million - ticket booth, main entrance, plaza, parking
• $3.57 million- Tri Star addition renovation
• $1.8 million - new varsity soccer field
• $323,811 - tennis court enhancements as part of overall athletic complex
• $122,685 - additional practice field in old track and field location.
