Stadium of Champions to see $2 million upgrade, school board to also invest in practice track

The CCPS school board has decided to resurface a deteriorating practice track and overhaul the Stadium of Champions along with CCHS construction.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County Public Schools Board of Education has moved forward with plans for extensive upgrades at the Stadium of Champions and separate resurfacing of the frequently used practice track. Costs for just the football stadium will be absorbed into the construction budget for the new Christian County High School.

Plans for the stadium include improving the entrance, paving the gravel driveway, relocating fencing, installing new astroturf on the football field, and repaving the track around the field. It is estimated that the renovations at the Stadium of Champions will cost around $2 million.

This additional cost paired with adjusted expenses changes the scope of the CCHS construction budget to $141 million. To help counterbalance these costs, the construction budget also saw an incoming revenue increase of nearly $10 million in grant money and other sources. This budget is separate from the general fund.

Pushback on upgrades, future plans

Board member Lindsey Clark expressed concerns about the necessity of the stadium upgrades due to supposed low attendance at games and infrequent use saying, “We are going from two high schools to one, so we will spend $2 million dollars out there to use it six times a year.”

Other board members defended the use of the stadium since it is utilized by varsity and junior varsity sports along with the marching band. It was also pointed out that having an upgraded stadium would permit the district to host track meets, which is not possible with the current conditions.

While upgrading the old stadium lights to LED is not in the current plan, Assistant Superintendent Jason Wilson assured them it is on the list for the future.

“I see this as a process at the stadium,” said Wilson to the board. “We don’t have the ability to go out there right now and do an entire facelift.” After a long discussion, the board voted to open up bids for the Stadium of Champion upgrades.

Practice track resurfacing by Gateway Academy

Separate from the Stadium of Champions project and construction of the high school, the board was on the fence about how to address the other deteriorating track that is located behind Gateway Academy. Resurfacing this practice track would cost the district $203,000 from the general fund. The finishing on this track will not be “competition grade” like the Stadium of Champions, resulting in a lower cost.

Board member Erin Westerfield voiced during the meeting that they should hold off on the repairs and explore other options to provide a usable track for student athletes saying, “It’s lasted this long in its pitiful shape, it could last a little longer.”

The track was slated to receive maintenance back in 2016, but it was put on the back burner. Since then, the condition of the practice track has continued to decline due to daily use by Christian County middle and high school students, Special Olympics, other private schools, and the general public.

“We could wait, but it will eventually have to be closed off for safety reasons,” said Superintendent Chris Bentzel. Despite the pushback, the board approved the cost for the project.