When the 2022 Golden Aces football team hits the field at Riverview Stadium, they’ll be doing it in an overhauled complex.
The Wabash District #348 school board tonight approved spending $4 million to completely overhaul the stadium including installing a turf playing field, new lights, a new press box, a new 8-lane track, among other features.
Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said the current Riverview Stadium is the “most unused property” in the district saying the field is only used for football games. He explained the team doesn’t even practice on the field for fear of damage to the turf. That also prevents the Marching Aces from using the playing field for practices.
With the renovated stadium, Bleyer said the artificial turf will save the district money from the mowing, striping, and upkeep of the field and that will free up custodians to spend more time in the building.
The soccer Aces, who now currently play at the Wabash Valley College field, will use the new turf field for their practices and home matches. The district pays WVC to use the soccer field, another cost that will be eliminated.
The Marching Aces will be able to host band competitions and even the baseball and softball teams will be able to use the field when weather prevents them from using their regular fields.
As for financing the project, Bleyer said the district is in good enough financial shape to pay for the $4 million improvements and still not drain district cash reserves. Funding sources include money from the 1% facility sales tax and will not include any additional property tax burden for local real estate owners.
Bleyer explained this is a two phase project with upgraded locker room facilities and public restrooms being a key part of the second phase. Board member Kyle Peach is a member of the building and grounds committee. He said Mt. Carmel has the worst accommodations for visiting teams and fans who have to rely on a single porta-potty for rest room facilities on that side of the stadium. Bleyer agreed with Peach’s assessment saying the current setup is “embarrassing” for the district. He said phase two would probably be done in 2023.
In addition to the new turf field, one of the key components of the project is widening the current track from 6 lanes to 8 lanes. Bleyer and Peach both explained the current track is crumbling and has outlived its’ usefulness. An 8 lane track would allow MCHS to host postseason and conference meets, something not possible with a 6 lane track. To accommodate the extra lanes, the field and press box will have to move to the east.
Bleyer said developers have told him phase one of the project can be completed this summer and be ready for the first football game.
Previously, the board had approved to spend $400,000 to rehabilitate Riverview Stadium’s iconic seating area, mostly with concrete work. Tonight’s approval does not affect that work Bleyer hopes can also be done this summer.
The board approved the project with board member Susie Wood voting no. Board member Ryan Peter was absent from the meeting.
