Plans Being Finalized For Athletic Complex Upgrade

As the Glenwood Community School District locks up its financing, the district’s architects are finalizing design plans for the new $3.7 million athletic complex.

The district’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of general obligation school capital loan agreement at the April school board meeting. With the purchase of the bond by American National Bank, the district’s financing for the overhaul to the 70-year old athletic complex is in place.

In February, district voters approved a 10-year, Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) to pay for the project.
The Glenwood Athletic Complex has long been rumored to be among the districts infrastructure improvement priorities after years of decline. The district is planning an overhaul similarly undertaken by districts in Treynor, Harlan, Council Bluffs Lewis Central and Plattsmouth, Neb. in recent years. In the last year both Denison and Creston have also announced major athletic complex upgrades.

The site has hosted Ram football since at least 1947. The field house building opened in 1961 and additions were added to the south in 1973 and another addition was completed in 1996.

Plans for the new facility include a new running track, new home bleachers, expanded visitor bleachers, a new press box, new locker rooms, a new entryway into the complex, a new concession stand, renovations to the grass playing surface, additional parking and a pick up and drop off driveway.

Surveying on the current site is underway and HSR, Inc., the district’s architect, is currently completing the updated site plan for the project. That plan is expected to be completed in the next three to four weeks. Once the plan is in the district’s hands it will go to a design committee for feedback.

The Youth Action Committee (YAC) core membership, along with some community members will comprise the design committee.

“There’ll be some changes,” Embray said. “I don’t think there will be major changes unless the money comes in for the (artificial field) turf, then that would be a major change. They (YAC) are still hoping for that and they’re finalizing their fundraising campaign they’ll launch hopefully in the next couple weeks.”

YAC has said it hopes to raise more the $700,000 in private donations to help add to the project. Field turf, a standing platform mezzanine on the home bleachers and two pedestrian bridges across Keg Creek are all on YAC’s wish list.
Embray said the plan as of now is for two bid-lettings on the project: one for demolition and dirt work and a second for construction.

The district is targeting late summer for when the project will go out to bid.
Embray fully anticipates breaking ground on the project in October 2018.

While the complete project is expected to take 12 months, the district hopes to be able to play football at the complex by mid-August while work continues. The Rams are scheduled to host Carroll Aug. 30, 2019 in their home opener.

“This is a very doable timeline if the weather cooperates but an extremely wet spring and summer would make us go to plan B for the season opener,” said Glenwood Activities Director Jeff Bissen.

“Plan B” would have Glenwood seeking out an alternative site for home games until the complex was ready.
With the final site plan still in flux, Bissen said a determination about the spring 2019 track season has yet to be made.

As a  precaution he’s already reached out to Plattsmouth, Treynor, Council Bluffs Lewis Central and Fremont-Mills about the availability of using their track that spring should the need arise.