Brownwood ISD is preparing to begin three capital improvement projects around the district this school year including installing new turf at Gordon Wood Stadium, construction of the Gerald Thomas Pavilion and putting a new roof on the high school gym.
The three projects would cost an estimated $618,000 which would be paid out of the district’s $4.7 million fund balance.
“If you take the $4.7 million and subtract from it the $618,000 that still leaves our fund balance at $4.1 million which we still feel is a healthy fund balance for the district,” said BISD Deputy Superintendent Kevin Gabaree.
The school board gave their verbal blessing to the projects so school administration could move forward on collecting data and talking to contractors to bring a recommendation back to the board in December for approval.
The current turf at Gordon Wood Stadium has been in place for 10 years, and the district has been evaluating several turf companies and has the field narrowed down to two – Paragon Sports Constructors and AstroTurf.
Gabaree said that the estimated cost to resurface the stadium field would be $430,000.
“Our hope is to get this replaced and completed by February 4th which is our first district soccer game,” Gabaree said.
The new turf would have a minimum lifespan of 10 years. Officials said that the old turf could not be reinstalled at the high school, but small sections of it could be reused in the new ag show barn, in batting cages and in several other small areas.
The Gerald Thomas Pavilion, which was approved in late 2010 and dedicated in January 2011, is also on the district’s radar for construction this school year. This agricultural show barn would include restrooms and concession stands and would not only be used for ag students but would be available for local livestock shows.
Gabaree said that the pavilion would cost an estimated $153,000 to build and much of the labor would be done by the district.
The third project would be a new roof for the Brownwood High School gym which began leaking with the last heavy rain. The estimated cost of the roof is $35,000.
The school board is expected to approve these projects at their next board meeting on December 9th.
Pictured at top is a rendering of the Gerald Thomas Pavilion as it was revealed at the dedication ceremony in December 2011.
