{"id":169375,"date":"2023-08-24T03:45:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T08:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=169375"},"modified":"2023-08-25T09:49:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T14:49:56","slug":"board-hears-update-on-eggerss-stadium-new-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2023\/08\/24\/board-hears-update-on-eggerss-stadium-new-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Board gets update on Eggerss Stadium"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SCOTT TRUXELL\/<\/strong>independent editor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase I of a massive overhaul of Eggerss Stadium is nearly complete and Van Wert City Schools Treasurer Troy Bowersock gave a brief financial update on the project during Wednesday night\u2019s school board meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re pretty confident where we are as far as phase I is concerned,\u201d Bowersock said. \u201cAs of August 22, we\u2019ve incurred $3.6 million associated with the construction project. There were some contingencies (approximately $100,000) built into the contracts so that will free up some money for phase II and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Assistant Superintendent Bob Priest updates the board on summer improvements. Scott Truxell\/Van Wert independent<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bowersock also noted that some parts of phase II were incorporated into the first phase of the project. The main parts of phase I were concrete restoration on the home side stands and Cougar Pride Wall, and the installation of new artificial turf. Phases II and III are planned for 2024 and 2025. The renovations are being paid for by a 20-year, 1.15 mill bond issue that was approved by school district voters in May of 2022. It raised $5 million for the project. A legacy naming rights program<\/a> was also recently announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Superintendent Mark Bagley said the district plans on thanking the public through videos online and on social media, and a brief thank you letter that will be read shortly before kickoff of Friday\u2019s football game vs. Bath. He also said there will be some parking available on the grass behind the south end zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have it mapped out, we\u2019re going to have people out there manning that,\u201d he said. \u201cMy guess is we can get 60 cars out there and looking at the future – how does that look (in terms of) traffic flow on a one-way street. It\u2019ll be free parking for our public to get closer, especially those who are handicapped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bagley added there will be safety signs at certain portions of the stadium and he said an open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. this Sunday for the public to have an unimpeded look at the renovations and the new turf. More information is expected later today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

He also told the board that even with a three-hour fog delay on Monday, the first day of school, the new academic year is off to a great start and he noted the district has a nearly full staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his report to the board, Assistant Superintendent Bob Priest ran down a list of improvements that took place in district buildings around the summer, including new security cameras at the ECC, elementary, middle school and high school. New cameras will go in at the Van Wert School at the Goedde this fall. He also praised the maintenance staff for their hard work over the summer, and he said new playground equipment is coming for the Early Childhood Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been told late September or early October,\u201d Priest said. \u201cWe were obviously hoping it would be here when the students arrived\u2026we\u2019re hoping maybe they can experience that and not have to wait until the spring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board approved the resignation of Noah Carter, assistant to the director of technology, effective August 18, and approved Kennedy Mercer as a kindergarten intervention specialist. Board members also approved over 150 supplemental contacts for various academic, athletic and various extracurricular activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other business the board approved:<\/p>\n\n\n\n