The football field is undergoing a widening and installation of a turf field to accommodate a multi-use field for soccer and other events. The expansion caused the need to replace bleachers in the front sections and an aluminum structure is set to arrive this week and that will create a better walkway with more access for special needs guests, said George Long, the district’s business manager.
Long said the project is on time and on budget. He said the turf and bleachers will cost $750,000, about half of the $1.6 million that has been secured in private donations.
The energy conservation updates to lights at Barnitz Stadium will be a $388,000 portion of the overall project, to retrofit the original switchgear electrical system and pole lights, Long said.
Long said the district has received letters of intent for donations of $500,000 from Middletown Community Foundation, the largest donation in the foundation’s history; $750,000 from Premier Health Services (Atrium Medical Center); $300,000 from Sodexo, the district’s largest contracted company; and $30,000 from Cohen Brothers.
Long said the projects are progressing “wonderfully.”
He said the turf and bleachers will be complete later this month in time for the Middies home opener on Sept. 6 against Springfield. Eventually, Barnitz Stadium, which seats 9,500 and opened in 1950, will receive additional renovations, Long said. All the projects are expected to be complete by the fall of 2014, he said.
The Middies have four home games this season. Besides Springfield, they host Mason (Sept. 27), Lakota East (Oct. 11) and Colerain (Oct. 25).
Also this year, Long said, Barnitz Stadium will host football games for football teams throughout the district. Long said it was imperative for more than five games to be played in the stadium.
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