An architect will begin designing improvements to Norwin’s Knights Stadium that could cost more than $15 million. But some school board members are questioning what the scope of the project should be and whether the district can afford it.
The school board this week approved an agreement with DRAW Collective, a Mt. Lebanon-based architectural firm, to proceed with the design work. The project would entail demolishing the home-side grandstands and building a new seating area along with restrooms, concessions, press box and various support facilities. The proposal also calls for improving the field house, visitor-side facilities and the surrounding site.
Bids for the project would be advertised in 2025, and work could take around 16 months, resulting in the loss of home football games in the 2025 season.
Under terms of an agreement with DRAW Collective, the architect would be paid 6% of the cost of new construction and 6.5% of the cost for designing renovations.
Director Bill Bojalad, chairman of the board’s facilities committee, said Monday he is not certain how long it might take for the architect to present the plans to the school district.
Board members questioned the estimated cost and what the project should entail.
Director Shawna Ilagan, who voted against approving the memorandum, said a facilities study produced for the school board a few years ago determined the grandstand — which is made of concrete — is structurally sound but in need of renovations. Repairs might cost between $5.3 million and $5.5 million, Ilagan said.
The district should talk about how to pay for the renovations before voting on them, Ilagan said.
Director Christine Baverso said she believes it would be better to proceed with demolishing the home-side grandstands and not “keep putting Band-Aids on something.”
“This is a good return on investment. It will be good for 60 years,” Baverso said. “The time is now.”
Selecting the architect’s proposal for a three-tier design for an enclosed press box above the stadium seats and a basement containing a track similar to what is on the ground floor of the stadium may not be the wisest option, said Director Alex Detschelt, who voted to approve the agreement.
Detschelt said he believes the grandstand does need to be torn down but does not think there was transparency in terms of options for the project. A lower-cost option estimates the project could be done for $13.2 million to $16 million, he said.
Director Matt Thomas, board president, raised the possibility that an architect could design a project for which construction bids are too costly. The district would have to go back to the drawing board on the renovations, not unlike what the Hempfield Area School Board has done with its proposed high school project.
Related:
• Norwin stadium targeted in makeover that includes new home grandstand
• Study to focus on Norwin stadium
• Hempfield ‘moving forward with a stronger team’ for renovation project
