Published: August 26, 2008 10:29 pm            

H.S. SPORTS: New LHS sports complex in the works

Lockport School District will formally unveil comprehensive proposal shortly.

LOCKPORT — Still very much “preliminary,” details of a proposal to construct a new, multi-million dollar sports complex behind Lockport High School, 250 Lincoln Ave. are currently being worked out by the Lockport City School District.

Long in the making and long overdue, the proposed project — which includes installation of a new artificial turf football stadium with lights, as well as an extensive renovation and expansion of the high school, will be presented at an upcoming Board of Education meeting. Preliminary cost estimates for the comprehensive plan are in the $25M range.

An artists’ rendering of part of the project was put on prominent display at Monday’s fall sports meeting between coaches and parents at LHS and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

“The highlight of the renovation project is a new sports complex and stadium for sports including baseball, softball, soccer, football and lacrosse — all the field sports,” said Lockport School District Superintendant Terry Carbone.

“The proposal includes renovating the performing arts center and construction of a 21st century technology wing, a new fitness center and additional classrooms. We need to make it a school of the 21st century.”

Carbone said after it’s worked out in committee, the proposal will be presented to the Board of Education, with hopes of putting it to a public referendum some time in December.

Funding for the project will come from a variety of sources, including state building and other aid, major local fundraisers and district taxes. Carbone said cost-cutting measures will be put in effect to help offset the costs as well.

“We’re putting this forward trying to make it so that there is no increase to the local taxpayer,” Carbone said. “When you do a capital improvement project like this, the state will aid up to 89 percent of the costs, while the local share comes form capital reserves — which we have put aside for projects such as this.”

LHS coaches, including boys varsity soccer coach Jeff Hulshoff, said they’re elated with the proposal.

“Are you kidding me? Fantastic!,” Hulshoff said. The boys soccer Lions were forced to postpone a number of their games in 2006 due to inclement wet weather. Schools with artificial turfs not only canceled zero games the same year, but have gone on to host sectional and regional contests almost on a yearly basis.

“It’s a great proposal — how else can you say it? We’d be able to play night games as would the other field sports. That and the artificial turf are exciting to think about,” Hulshoff said.

“Our field is among the best in the league right now, but over the past three or four years, the Lockport Soccer Boosters have been out here putting dirt down trying to level it off. The new stadium would also allow us to host regional events for not just soccer but the other field sports as well,” he added.

The sight of the proposed new stadium is somewhere in the area of where the varsity soccer field is currently located behind the school. A 2010 completion date is anticipated.

“We’re very excited about this project,” Carbone said. “I want to stress again, however, that although it’s not a secret, it’s still very preliminary.”

LHS features an award winning boys and girls sports program that is led by veteran district athletics director Patrick Burke, considered among the finest in New York state.

        

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