Local school board approves major renovations for school, new athletic field

EBENSBURG, Pa. (WJAC) — Central Cambria School District has some renovations coming to its facilities soon.

The Central Cambria school board voted to begin multiple construction projects, including a new athletic field and upgrades to its existing football stadium and track.

According to district officials, the project is estimated to cost almost $20 million.

“When you look at the lighting project, the maintenance building construction, the upgrades of the athletic fields, new installation of athletic fields, we are looking at (a) bond issue and (a) also cash payment for the project price,” said school board President Dennis Simmers.

On Monday night during the school board meeting, board members spent time discussing specific details of the plans, including how many lights should be added to the new athletic field.

"We had opinions, but it was basically on detail items. And so there is a passionate group of school board members and administrators. They bleed black and red, so I like to call it spirited fellowship ensued, but at the end of the day the entire group is solidly behind all of the renovations,” said Simmers.

District officials say student-athletes are not the only people who will benefit from the renovations.

"We do have a policy at Central Cambria to make our facilities available to the public. There is a formal procedure an application to be filled out. We would certainly entertain that possibility that we would provide the multi-purpose field to some outside entities they would just need to abide by our existing procedures,” said Simmers.

Simmers said they hope the project is completed during 2021.

He added the board is working to have construction and renovations of the field not interrupt any sports seasons.

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