School athletic facilities to get overhaul

Board approves $1 million plan for improvements

After evaluation by Sizeler Architects identifying problems with athletic facilities at elementary, middle, and high schools, St. Charles Parish Schools recently approved a measure to improve athletic facilities at several school sites in the parish.

In an effort to do what the board can now, they set forth a $1 million budget to gradually overhaul several athletic facilities beginning in July of 2007.

The first phase of improvements will target parish elementary schools. Plans will focus on improving drainage, playfields, and add fitness stations at an estimated cost of $300,000.

The board also allocated $5 dollars per student to replace exercising equipment totaling $40,000. Larry Sesser, Physical Plant Manager, suggested replacing mulch under playgrounds but was asked to hold off on that endeavor by the board so that another substance could be purchased that would last longer and be more durable than mulch.

Middle schools in the parish will benefit from improvements to playing fields by adding dirt and seeding at Harry Hurst Middle, J.B Martin and R.K. Smith, placing a fence between Albert Cammon Middle School and the adjacent neighborhood, and marking fields at all sites. The board also allocated $5 dollars per student to replace exercise equipment at these schools to the tune of $10,000.

At both Destrehan and Hahnville high schools the track fields will be moved outside the football fields totaling $10,000 per site. Plans are also being made to add a press box and concession stand at Hahnville High School for Girls' softball and boys' baseball and adding a solar covering over stadium seating. Improvements will also be made to Hahnville High's track facilities. Hahnville's football stadium will receive new seating with a cost of approximately $60,000.