WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. January 8, 2007: The Superintendent of Schools released to WPNCR, last month, the makeup  of the "User Group Committees" to obtain school personnel input on the conversion and construction of the two district athletic stadiums, Loucks Field and Parker Stadium.

Loucks Field Renovation Committee Formed on the Loucks Makeover: two sets of metal bleachers seating 3,250 (not 2,500) with press box, lights,. locker rooms, artificial turf system and 10-lane track on the straightaway. Cost: $ 6 Million (Approximate)Photo, WPCNR News.

The User Group Committee on the Fields consists of  (from the school administration): Superintendent Connors, a school board member, Triton Construction (the Managing Contractor) Fred Seiler, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Mike Lynch, Facilities & Operations, Ivan Toper, Principal, White Plains High School, Russ Davidson (architect, Nick Panaro, WPHS Athletic Director, Jody Cole, Health & Physical Education, Tom Eaton, House Administrator, Fred Singleton, Track Coach, Michael Stevens, Head Football Coach, and from the community: Charlie Norris (parent), Chuck Stogel (WPHS Athletic Fund), one male WPHS student and one Female WPHS Student to be selected by the Principal.

The Post Road School construction User Group Committee is made up of: Mr. Seiler, Mike Lynch, Russ Davidson, Triton Construction and Superintendent Connors, and a member of the Board of Education. Representing the Post Road School are: Laura Havis, Principal, Jodie Nestie, Assistant Principal, Susan Fiorella, Office Manager, Jean Nicastro, Kindergarten Teacher, Lori Mollo, 1st Grade Teacher, Kristine McMath, 2nd Grade Teacher, Mary Marquis 3rd Grade Teacher, Anthony Russo, 4th Grade Teacher, Franklin Cromer, 5th Grade Teacher, Wendy Gussack, Special Area. Parents include Rose Lovitch and Joretta Crabbe. Rounding out the Post Road group is Lorraine Seico, CSEA Representative.

Issues to Consider

Issues WPCNR has identified as being critical to the athletic field construction, include,

1. Selection of the length of artifical turf "grass blade," compatible with all four sports: soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and football;

2. How the field will be permanently marked, whether lines will be interchangeable or permanent (so it does not become a dog's breakfast of line markings);

3. Location of field event facilities at the high school (whether or not javelin, shot put, hammer throw can be staged on aritificial turf because of potential damage to the field from impact);

4. Cosmetic renovation of the field house adjacent Loucks Field, currently not included in the  $6 Million cost.

5. Completion dates.

A FieldTurf installation in Libertyville Illinois, showing how soccer and lacrosse markings (in orange) are integrated into the "blade" turf. Photo Capture from Libertyville High School site.

Where Will Football Be Played As Field Construction Continues Through Fall.

Russell Davidson, of Kaeyer Garment & Davidson, the architects has set back the dates when Loucks and Parker will be completed until before Thanksgiving, raising the issue of where the White Plains High School and Junior Varsity and the various "feeder" football teams will play football prior to Thanksgiving. Nick Panaro, WPHS Athletic Director, told WPCNR last month that Archbishop Stepinac was being considered.  Throughout the process during which the $69.6 Million school construction project was being promoted and explained to the community, the football fields had always been promised to be done over the summer of 2007 to be completed in time for football season.

The majestic ancient sweep of Parker Stadium Sunday afternoon. The concrete and stone structure is said to be unsafe, the bleachers in need of replacing, and deteriorated stairs and locker rooms. The old structure is said to be impossible to make disabled accessible. It will be replaced by a metal bleacher structure with a press box. Artificial turf would be installed on the grass field with a rubber surface walking track -- but is not expected to be completed until just before Thanksgiving -- leaving the WPHS Tigers to search for a place to play home football games.  Photo, WPCNR News

At Post Road School, issues that might be considered are:

1. Size and locations of classrooms. (Pretty much set).

2. Recreation Issues when outside recreation ares are to be taken out of commission for construction of the school.

3. Auditorium facilities -- lighting, audio, production facilities, size.

4. Library/media center amenities and equipment.

5. Drainage design, so current leaking problems do not recur.

6. Parking during construction (2008-2009)

The User Group Committees Function.

The "UGC's" are described as "providing input to the design of each project and will review interim sketches. Their role is advisory to the Superintendent and Board Finance Committee. The UGC's for the other projects: District-Wide Roofing, District-wide Infrastructure, Mamaroneck Avenue Additions & Alteraons and White Plains High School Alterations will be formed when those projects begin.