Athens High School new field in the works?

[datchillicav]

I have heard from a few sources in Athens whom I trust that the stadium is pretty much going to be a "start from scratch" project. The insurance will actually pay a lot(not all). As was explained to me by a prominent member of the AHS community, the tornado sent pieces of glass and shrapnel and other debris at least 3 or so inches deep into the existing grass. Because of this, the insurance company will pay for the grass to be dug up to a depth of 6 inches and for the field to be re-sodded. The depth to install dranage systems underneath field turf is only 9 or so inches and as anyone who has been around such a project knows, digging the hole is the majority of the work and a good portion of the price. The school, would therefore only have to pay to dig a hole 3 more inches and the insurance would pay a price equal to that of installing new grass, so the difference in the cost would be all that AHS would have to pay. So if it were to cost 500k to install field turf and 200k to install grass, the school would only have to pay 300k. I don't know the exact numbers involved but that is how the system will work. The insurance will also pay to rebuild similar stands and again, any upgrades that are made would simply be pay the difference for the school. This person also explained to me that because this actually presents a great opportunity to upgrade the facilities cheaply, the stands themselves will probably be upgraded as well as new bathrooms and concession stands facilities.

Pretty much, with all the tragedy the tornado brought, it also brought with it an opportunity for the school to do upgrades that could cost a lot of money for a relatively low price tag. I guess the best way to think of it is that you crach your 10k car and the insurance gives you 10k. Well if you could get another 10k, now you can by a 20k car that was even nicer than the 10k car. (I know that never really works that way with car insurance but that is another topic)

[john]

Pretty much, with all the tragedy the tornado brought, it also brought with it an opportunity for the school to do upgrades that could cost a lot of money for a relatively low price tag. I guess the best way to think of it is that you crach your 10k car and the insurance gives you 10k. Well if you could get another 10k, now you can by a 20k car that was even nicer than the 10k car. (I know that never really works that way with car insurance but that is another topic)

Yeah, let's upgrade to that Jaguar now. Then in 15 years we'll have to buy another one. We all know that the Jaguar is less reliable than that Camry we could have bought. Guess who gets to pay for the second Jaguar. I hope the board of Education understands this when they decide what to do. We could always pass another levy or school district income tax to pay for it.

[Orange and Brown]

Pretty much, with all the tragedy the tornado brought, it also brought with it an opportunity for the school to do upgrades that could cost a lot of money for a relatively low price tag. I guess the best way to think of it is that you crach your 10k car and the insurance gives you 10k. Well if you could get another 10k, now you can by a 20k car that was even nicer than the 10k car. (I know that never really works that way with car insurance but that is another topic)

Yeah, let's upgrade to that Jaguar now. Then in 15 years we'll have to buy another one. We all know that the Jaguar is less reliable than that Camry we could have bought. Guess who gets to pay for the second Jaguar. I hope the board of Education understands this when they decide what to do. We could always pass another levy or school district income tax to pay for it.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the difference will be paid for with donations and help from the community. Not tax levy's

[john]

Pretty much, with all the tragedy the tornado brought, it also brought with it an opportunity for the school to do upgrades that could cost a lot of money for a relatively low price tag. I guess the best way to think of it is that you crach your 10k car and the insurance gives you 10k. Well if you could get another 10k, now you can by a 20k car that was even nicer than the 10k car. (I know that never really works that way with car insurance but that is another topic)

Yeah, let's upgrade to that Jaguar now. Then in 15 years we'll have to buy another one. We all know that the Jaguar is less reliable than that Camry we could have bought. Guess who gets to pay for the second Jaguar. I hope the board of Education understands this when they decide what to do. We could always pass another levy or school district income tax to pay for it.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the difference will be paid for with donations and help from the community. Not tax levy's

I'm assuming that's how it will be paid for now.

When that the new field needs to be replaced I hope they'll step up again to support it. But I don't think anybody can guaranty it now. If fund raising falls short at that time, what will the options be?

The school board and administration are the stewards of our school system and the taxpayer money that supports it. I hope they approach this project with all the information they need to make a wise decision.

[athens78]

So we're using the storm as an excuse to get stadium turf? Then wanting the community to fork out the money? Don't we all pay taxes for that stuff? I'm not against raising money for new turf if they had started these funds before the storm but if we're now taking advantage of the storm in which many suffered great losses then that's wrong.

[A-Town Big Dog]

So we're using the storm as an excuse to get stadium turf? Then wanting the community to fork out the money? Don't we all pay taxes for that stuff? I'm not against raising money for new turf if they had started these funds before the storm but if we're now taking advantage of the storm in which many suffered great losses then that's wrong.

There was talk over the last 2-3 years about renovation and stadium turf but the storm kinda expedited the fundraising effort as insurance will foot a rather large portion of the money. From what I understand to be true is that the current field would at a minimum need to be escavated to a debth of 6 inches and re-soded as a safety measure guarding against any possible debris that may be lingering on the field which while not as expensive as stadium turf would still come with a fairly hefty price tag. Also it's not like they are begging common people walking down the street for donations, they simply informed the community of the situation and set up a fund by which people can make donations if they'd like. The school is offering bricks for sale that can be engraved with your name or dedicated to someone else starting at $50(got my form today). The majority of the donated money will come from local businesses for naming rights etc. which I'm pretty sure a portion of if not all would be tax deductable.

[athens78]

I heard the brick were $50.00, $100.00, $500.00 and $1000.00 what is the difference? Also they are asking common people I've been hit up several time in the last week to donate to the fund and buy a brick and I don't own a business. Glad to see they're not taking advantage of the storm. I'm assuming that if they couldn't raise enough for turf there would have to be a dead line so they can at least but down regular grass again so they could use the field next year. Is there a dead line as that would have to be met with funds in order to give the go ahead for turf or replace with grass?

[Orange and Brown]

I heard the brick were $50.00, $100.00, $500.00 and $1000.00 what is the difference? Also they are asking common people I've been hit up several time in the last week to donate to the fund and buy a brick and I don't own a business. Glad to see they're not taking advantage of the storm. I'm assuming that if they couldn't raise enough for turf there would have to be a dead line so they can at least but down regular grass again so they could use the field next year. Is there a dead line as that would have to be met with funds in order to give the go ahead for turf or replace with grass?

I am so sorry that some people asked you to help! It is simple enough to say no thanks and move on. Since you are so against Athens city schools bettering there facility's can I assume you will not be attending any football or soccer games after the field is complete?

[A-Town Big Dog]

Brick pricing is as follows.

4x8 brick 1/2" print two lines $50.00
4x8 bronze brick 1/2' two lines $1000.00 yr/5yrs.

8x8 1/2" print five lines $100.00
8x8 bronze version $2500.00 yr/5yrs.

12x12 1/2" print nine lines $500.00
12x12 bronze version $5000.00 yr/5yrs. (digitized logo available)

16x16 1/2" print 15 lines $1000.00
16x16 bronze version $10000.00 yr/5yrs. (digitized logo available)

[A-Town Big Dog]

Today's Athens Messenger had a very good article outlining the current plan and gave a start of construction date of April 1st, 2011. The article does a fine job detailing plans for the softball field, track event locations as well as the football/soccer field, stands, pressbox, athletic complex, consession stands and restrooms if anyone would like to read about it.

[Tyler_Durden]

I heard the brick were $50.00, $100.00, $500.00 and $1000.00 what is the difference? Also they are asking common people I've been hit up several time in the last week to donate to the fund and buy a brick and I don't own a business. Glad to see they're not taking advantage of the storm. I'm assuming that if they couldn't raise enough for turf there would have to be a dead line so they can at least but down regular grass again so they could use the field next year. Is there a dead line as that would have to be met with funds in order to give the go ahead for turf or replace with grass?

I wonder if Nelsonville-York, Logan, Jackson, etc had members of their alumni who did nothing but &itch and moan about bettering their facilities? Attitudes like athens78 is precisely what has been one of the big problems for Athens inconsistent success in athletics over the years. Take some pride in your community for crying out loud!

[runningonempty]

athens78, do you EVER have anything positive to say?

[buckfan84]

I would say that to NOT take advantage of the storm damage would be uhmmmmmm not so bright. If my house were damaged by the storm, believe me I would definitely take that opportunity to upgrade.

[A-Town Big Dog]

I heard the brick were $50.00, $100.00, $500.00 and $1000.00 what is the difference? Also they are asking common people I've been hit up several time in the last week to donate to the fund and buy a brick and I don't own a business. Glad to see they're not taking advantage of the storm. I'm assuming that if they couldn't raise enough for turf there would have to be a dead line so they can at least but down regular grass again so they could use the field next year. Is there a dead line as that would have to be met with funds in order to give the go ahead for turf or replace with grass?

I wonder if Nelsonville-York, Logan, Jackson, etc had members of their alumni who did nothing but &itch and moan about bettering their facilities? Attitudes like athens78 is precisely what has been one of the big problems for Athens inconsistent success in athletics over the years. Take some pride in your community for crying out loud!

To each his own, given the current economic status of this county/state/country I can understand why people either don't want to or can't afford to support a renovation project of this size and feel their dollar is better spent elsewhere. Myself and my family get tons of enjoyment from watching those young atheletes give their all on that field every week and I personally feel an obligation as an alum, former player, fan, and person who benefits bi-weekly from Athens City Schools (my wife is a teacher in elementary school) to give back to a school and athletic program that has given me both an education and many years of enjoyment as a player and fan at Basil Rutter Field. I hope those who can contribute choose to, so that we all can have a better facility not only for the kids who play on the field but for those of us who frequent the facility to cheer on the sports we love so much.

[athens78]

I do support, I pay taxes and lots of them and yes I normally catch one football game and one soccer game but not because of the field turf. I do say thanks but no thanks but keep getting hit up. Look I don't mind them upgrading really it's just bad timing and you mean for $1,000.00 you only get it for 5 years and for a 16x16 and $10,000.00 you only get it for 5 years? What then do they chip/cut it out? I'd think if a business or some individual gave $10,000.00 it be for life. I hope they make their goal and again I'm not against it but with the economy the way it is and the timing after the storm I just didn't feel it apprioate. Good luck and I hope you have great succes with it.

I'd say with the new governor that school should get all they can throught the public because the cuts are a coming.

[gridiron fan]

athens78, I think you misunderstood the options; hopefully these will help clarify.

http://www.athensbulldogblitz.com/field.htm
http://www.athensbulldogblitz.com/field ... ueinfo.pdf

4” x 8” Brick - $50
8” x 8” Brick - $100
12” x 12” Brick - $500
16” x 16” Brick - $1000

4” x 8” Bronze Plaque - $1,000 per yr. for 5 yrs.
8” x 8” Bronze Plaque - $2,500 per yr. for 5 yrs.
12” x 12” Bronze Plaque - $5,000 per yr. for 5 yrs.
16” x 16” Bronze Plaque - $10,000 per yr. for 5 yrs.

The brick or plaque you purchase is permanent.

[Orange and Brown]

I do support, I pay taxes and lots of them and yes I normally catch one football game and one soccer game but not because of the field turf. I do say thanks but no thanks but keep getting hit up. Look I don't mind them upgrading really it's just bad timing and you mean for $1,000.00 you only get it for 5 years and for a 16x16 and $10,000.00 you only get it for 5 years? What then do they chip/cut it out? I'd think if a business or some individual gave $10,000.00 it be for life. I hope they make their goal and again I'm not against it but with the economy the way it is and the timing after the storm I just didn't feel it apprioate. Good luck and I hope you have great succes with it.

I'd say with the new governor that school should get all they can throught the public because the cuts are a coming.

No the brick stays there forever. consider it a payment plan. If you can't afford 50 bucks to help out, I'll buy 2 bricks....I got 50 dollars in pennies in my couch.

[Pol pot]

I do support, I pay taxes and lots of them and yes I normally catch one football game and one soccer game but not because of the field turf. I do say thanks but no thanks but keep getting hit up. Look I don't mind them upgrading really it's just bad timing and you mean for $1,000.00 you only get it for 5 years and for a 16x16 and $10,000.00 you only get it for 5 years? What then do they chip/cut it out? I'd think if a business or some individual gave $10,000.00 it be for life. I hope they make their goal and again I'm not against it but with the economy the way it is and the timing after the storm I just didn't feel it apprioate. Good luck and I hope you have great succes with it.

I'd say with the new governor that school should get all they can throught the public because the cuts are a coming.

You (b)itch and moan more than anyone I know.

[G.W.A.]

It seems like a waste of money to me.The grass field at athens was a perfect field.

[Orange and Brown]

It seems like a waste of money to me.The grass field at athens was a perfect field.

The Field has to be dug up and replaced because of the debri. You can't take a chance and have glass or metal down under the surface for a kid to get hurt. So if your gonna have to dig it up may as well go a little deeper put in drainage and turf it.

Besides that 3 weeks into the season and the field looks like they have been parking cars on it in the rain.