After two months of working with insurance carriers and adjusters as well as electrical, structural, and astroturf engineers related to our recent tornado damages to our stadium, tennis courts, surrounding outdoor athletic fencing, and two dugouts, we are now expecting a settlement determination and the beginning of processing the allowable funding checks from the insurance adjuster to begin the repairs this week.
In the final analysis just becoming available to the district, the electrical engineers and astroturf engineers have determined, with support of the insurance adjuster, to replace the lights and astroturf almost in full. The final payment amount for both new lights and astroturf was established by the insurance adjuster after looking at several estimates and applying their insurance formula calculations.
We have also been waiting for the structural engineer’s analysis of the stadium complex. That information also was reported to the district recently which has cleared the home side of our stadium and half the capacity use of the visitor side with minimal repairs. We will have access to the bottom half of the visitors’ side of the stadium for now. Further exploration may give us more rows.
There will also be a determined insurance payment for the press box and for bleacher repairs at the stadium as approved by the insurance adjuster. We are looking at putting in a smaller approved press box at first and then doing a more involved one when we add new stadium bleachers.
Likewise, there has been a replacement determination amount for our damaged fence around the athletic complexes as well as damage to three of our tennis courts. The fence should be fully covered as well as the tennis court surface minus the amount for repairing existing cracks which the district will have to cover.
We are also expecting full replacement coverage of our two dugouts, ticket booth, and storage shed as well as personal property items.
In regard to the football stadium, our next move will be to get the turf replaced as soon as possible as well as new light poles and lighting that will look similar to the four metal pole systems at the Jennings Track & Field Complex. The turf needs to be replaced as soon as possible to assist us with practices. At the stadium, we plan to work with an electrical engineer regarding the four pole light systems to get the poles placed correctly as they were a part of our next phase at the stadium including lights, new stadium bleachers, and a press box. We will locate the poles so they will not need to be moved upon moving toward the new bleacher project. Again, in an effort to try and get some of our football and soccer season returned to our stadium this year, we will be looking at putting a smaller press box up at the stadium with minimal bleacher repairs to allow for the chance of some games at the stadium this season.
The district will fully support the Athletic Department in the coordination of our home events this fall at the Jennings Track & Field Complex as needed and until our stadium is ready for use. This could possibly involve the rental or use of some portable bleachers as determined. It may possibly involve areas for people to stand or possibly sit on chairs on the track on the opposite side of the field from the press box. If it is determined by the Athletic Department that we cannot make the Jennings Track & Field Complex work for varsity home football games, we will support them in using another facility as needed. We may have to use one of the options for part, or worst-case scenario, all the varsity home football games.
While we are going to make every effort to get the necessary contractors on board to get some use of our stadium this fall, the district also intends to discuss the appropriate steps with construction counsel to consider moving toward phase three of our outdoor high school athletic field upgrades. Again, that phase originally involved stadium lights, bleachers, and a press box. The dilemma for the board, and then ultimately the entire school district, is that the phase three project is estimated at between 5 to 5.6 million dollars. By placing the lights appropriately and by trying to qualify some of the insurance money from the tornado for the press box and bleachers this may reduce that phase to between 4.5 – 5.1 million dollars estimated.
Some people want to move forward with the stadium bleachers and the board and administration understand that. Equally important to consider is that we have to use our reserves and carry over school district money prudently for the benefit of all taxpayers. Waiting for the engineer and insurance adjuster’s information has been a lengthy process. Now that the insurance adjuster has announced their coverage from the tornado damage the district, just like many homeowners had to do with their property damage, is in a position to make decisions moving forward. We are hopeful of getting the necessary contractors on board to get material here and install it as soon as possible to salvage some of our season at the stadium. Phase three of outdoor facility upgrades will actually begin with the replacement of lights but in all reality, the design phase of the new facility bleachers is probably not too far off and is being considered.
This is where we are presently with the claim related to all the tornado damage. It is a very involved claim that requires many contractors to meet schedules with materials and installation and possible further review by the insurance adjuster. Thus, the whole process is always subject to update or change.
Douglas W. Fries, Superintendent