By: Deborah Johnson Wood
This week the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) Board of Education's Finance Committee approved a proposed $6.2 million renovation of the Julius Houseman Field to correct extensive structural and safety issues. The committee reports an “unexpected savings” from the 2004 school construction bond will fund the investment.
GRPS, Grand Rapids Community College and Aquinas College use Houseman Field for football, track and other athletic events. The field, donated to GRPS in 1907, has deed restrictions preserving it as an athletic facility.
Proposed renovations include structural, walkway and fence repairs; replacement of the playing turf and track surface; new concessions, restrooms and locker rooms; a new press box; and new lighting and public address systems.
“This investment would fully address both player safety and aesthetic issues, and bring the facility on par with other OK Conference member facilities,” says Ken Klomparens, Executive Director of Facilities & Operations. “It would also maintain the historical and traditional
sentiments attached to the Houseman Field location.”
The Finance Committee moves the recommendations to the GRPS Board of Education for approval at a time when high school athletics has transitioned to the OK Conference and a new public-private partnership is planned to expand middle school athletics. A comprehensive high school realignment plan and a proposed new construction bond are also in the works.
The investment could mean nixing two new stadiums, estimated at $5 to $7 million, at Ottawa Hills and Union High School, an option that could reduce the total amount of a construction bond proposal that could go before city voters next year.
If approved, construction will take place between April and July 2009.
Source: Grand Rapids Public Schools
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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