Stadium renovations to start after board accepts bids

PORT CLINTON – When the fall sports season begins in August, the football and soccer teams at Port Clinton High School will be playing inside the new state-of-the-art Bassett's Field at True-Lay Stadium.

Bid proposals have been approved by the board of education and the $2.8 million project is set to begin construction within the next week, according to Port Clinton City Schools Superintendent Pat Adkins.

"We have three different (primary) contractors. We will mobilize as early as next week," Adkins said.

What residents should expect next week is general trade work to begin, including the demolition of the home and away grandstands, top soil removal on the football field and general electrical installation.

The project will move fast, Adkins said, because the venue is expected to open August 1. With construction scheduled throughout the spring and summer, Adkins said graduation will still be held outside on the current soccer field on Fulton Street.

Along with Bill Lowe, co-chairman of the Port Clinton Athletic Complex Association, several donors flooded the school with their support. Mike Bassett donated $250,000 toward the purchase of new field turf at True-Lay Stadium, while the Heigel family donated $150,000 for the rights to name a new eight-lane track that will allow the school to host more tournaments and state events.

The press box also will have a new look when the Redskins take the field in August.

Lowe said Medical Mutual of Ohio donated $100,000 toward a new a 60-by-10-foot press box.

The upgrades will ensure more space on the field for soccer and an added capacity of 1,600 fans on the away side.

Project coordinator for the PCACA, Lynn Gresh said the Ohio High School Athletic Association looks at the quality of facilities to host tournament games in each sport. In week 12 of the football season, playoff teams meet at neutral sites and having turf fields are pivotal for selection of hosting week 12 football games. When schools host playoff games, the local economy benefits from fans coming from the area.

"It keeps us competitive with area schools," Gresh said. "If you look around, Perkins and Huron have turf."

Adkins said the Fullbackers Club and the PCACA is still fundraising, because they are still a few hundred thousand dollars away from their goal to help pay for fencing, additional parking and sidewalks. The Fullbackers will have their third annual Wild Game Feed on March 21 at Zink Calls on Railroad Street.

A groundbreaking will be held at the stadium at 3 p.m. March 9.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-734-7504

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Primary Contractors with winning bids

• Telamon, of Sandusky, for demolition, top soil removal and electrical work with a bid of $1,166,500.

• KF Construction and Excavating, of Clyde, for field turf, track and away locker room with a bid of 1,113,400.

• Sturdi Steel for home and away bleachers at the cost of $533,000.