Pictured above is an example of a bubble facility that houses an indoor track as well as a football field at Rutgers University.
(Photo submitted)
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Let’s give credit where credit is due to Marysville schools and their administration. Last week they made a move away from their first architect on the football stadium project and and have found a group that can help guide them in the right direction.
One of the biggest changes is extending the timeline as well as doing the Bunsold facility first.
Even though the board resisted that idea, we thought all along that the middle school facility should be done first so there would be a backup facility for the high school fall season, knowing every construction project faces unforeseen delays.
We understand the hurry to get it all done, but the move to a project manager from in-house employees was not only for more experience in planning but the original plans being marketed by the schools weren’t selling in the community.
Keep in mind this project still needs $4 million to be raised from donors or the school would be forced to borrow the balance if it is going to compete the project.
Besides the funding, other feedback about the project was that a focus should include more opportunities for year-round practice because just a shiny new stadium won’t make the athletes play better.
Now that they are back to the drawing board, one Idea we want to throw out to the administration is to look at leaving the track where it is and put that money towards a bubble facility that can be placed over the track and football field making it a year round facility.
By our calculation, that modification would cost about the same amount to move the track facility away from the football field.
We think most coaches looking at the long term development of kids would rather have a year round area to train, not to mention that five or six sports could use the facility at the same time. Especially when gym space is a premium in the winter months.
We see it having batting cages, an ability to split the field so soccer and lacrosse could practice, while the track would be open, too.
Overall, we think this new direction is the right way to go.
To get away from the “fake it until we make it” strategy we hope the board listens to more input like we suggested so the project is done right the first time. This way it shows they are on the same page to truly innovate, collaborate and inspire.