WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 15, 2005, Updated with Picture 10 A.M. E.S.T.: In a succession of pronouncements after the recognition of 85 Student Athletes, and six winter sports teams that qualifed as Scholar Athlete teams (high school athletes with a grade average of 90 or better and a team average of 90 or better), Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors announced a series of initiatives and delivered a status report on goals of the district. The Board of Education publicly announced the selection of an architectural firm to prepare a Building Conditions Survey for the district, and design of a five year facilities upgrade program, which would include upgrading of athletic facilities.

The Board voted to accept the architectural firm of Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson to prepare a Building Conditions Survey (required by New York State) of school district buildings and athletic fields and prepare recommendations for building renovations, and possible conversion of certain athletic fields to artificial turf.

Articulating Scope of Bond Issue Next Year.

Connors said the facilities survey in conjunction with the field analysis would be undertaken in anticipation of a bond issue to be presented to the district voters next year to improve and bring into compliance any school buildings in such need of repair, enhancement, as well as financing field improvements.

Loucks Field Consultations Held. The District has discussed the renovations of Loucks Field (at the High School), and the possibility of that project being included in the Facilities upgrade. File Photo from WPCNR Sports Archive.

Connors announced the district had been in conversation with a local booster group under Dan Woodard seeking to modernize the Glen Loucks football field at the high school with synthetic turf, modern stands and state-of-the-art media and clubhouse facilities at a cost of $7 Million (the estimated cost given three years ago. To date only a fraction of that cost has been raised by private donations.).

Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson is the architectural firm which designed the recent $28 Million renovation of the high school. Connors said KG & D were familiar with the district facilities. The firm in a presentation approximately two months ago cited their close ties with the State Education Department and knowledge of state facility standards as qualifications that would make them a better choice for the school district. Though the amount of the contract was not announced publicly, the Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson contract for the survey and 5 year facilities plan is $59,000, according to School Board of Education Member, Bill Pollak. 

At the time the firm was interviewed Superintendent Connors said any survey fee would be deducted from any future architectural commissions assigned the firm when the school district embarked on any facilities improvement campaign. Last night Connors said that the Finance Committee would go over the parameters of the survey before the actual contract was signed. He said the architectural firm was not guaranteed future design of any projects they recommend which would be bid.