ILS1
01-31-2007, 05:58 PM
Just think,the HS isn't even 8 years old yet!!! Wow!!
What is cheerfully known as home of the “Hippo Nation” is expected to undergo major renovations and expansion in the near future. The facelift of athletic facilities at Hutto High School won't come cheaply, though. It will cost approximately $4.4 million, but is much needed for a growing school district, Superintendent David Borrer and other school officials said.
On Jan. 23 a workshop was held at the Hutto Independent School District's administration building so that trustees could learn from Brad Pfluger, president and principal-in-charge of Pfluger Associates Architects of Austin, and Borrer about plans to expand and improve the stadium and adjacent facilities in many ways. Also attending the meeting were Janiece Nelson, girls' athletic director at HHS and Lee Penland, boys' athletic director at HHS.
For a school with a student population that's already burgeoning, the renovations will be necessary to accommodate the students and fans who want to see their Hippos compete, Borrer said. When all renovations and additions are completed at the high school, it is expected to accommodate 2,400 students, doubling its capacity.
In last November's bond election $85.2 million was approved by voters to fund construction of the district's fifth elementary school, a second middle school and expansion of the high school.
Plans for athletic facilities include a multi-sport field house with a cost of $2.5 million, synthetic turf on the stadium's field and field and track renovations for $1.2 million, stadium seating expansion with new bleachers for $206,437 and restroom additions for $240,750.
Pfluger said the subtotal for the improvements and renovations will cost approximately $4.2 million with a soft cost of 20 percent above the $3 million dollar allowance for a total of $4.4 million for the entire project.
In his presentation to trustees, Pfluger said there are options for stretching the district's budget.
To help pay for the athletic facilities renovations and improvements, the district might consider interest earnings, a reduction of project scope in other areas, a partial finish out of the field house, deferring bus maintenance facility work and bidding on another project at the same time the athletic facilities construction and renovation is taken out for bids. Since the meeting was a workshop, no action was taken regarding the expenditure of money, but Pfluger sought to give trustees information about possible avenues to have funds for the athletic-related renovations and expansion.
Pfluger presented trustees a floor plan for the field house. He said it has been changed twice within the last few days and is preliminary. He said it is possible the field house would be situated near the field, allowing people inside to look out onto the field, as is the situation at some other high schools.
Borrer said he has met with Nelson and Penland to see what they think is needed to meet the needs of so many students who are often-times tightly packed into the single weight room at the school. The superintendent said one of the most important things to consider while planning is to ensure there is ample locker space for all students and the district complies with Title IX, which mandates that equal opportunities exist for both boys and girls if a school receives federal assistance.
If the HISD builds a second high school to accommodate student population growth, Borrer said the district may be able to go back and re-renovate the old school facilities, but for now, the biggest priority is ensuring there is enough room for students to dress before and after competition and practice, and for everyone to have space to sit and enjoy athletic events.
Synthetic turf has also become a priority in the planning process for the athletic facilities, the superintendent said, adding that the track is, “in desperate need of repair.” He said he has been told by many people that they support the idea of having synthetic turf on the field.
Trustee Byron McDaniel and Board President Wes Sawyer said having synthetic turf would allow the district to host playoffs.
“Nobody wants dirt,” Sawyer said.
Borrer said district planners should keep in mind that the system may go from a 3A to a 4A or 5A designation and the renovations and improvements will help the system in this regard.
Nelson said easing the weight room crunch will definitely be a welcomed change.
“Right now we're constantly fighting for time to be in there,” she said.
Penland said he agrees with Nelson that space is often times extremely sparse in the weight room.
“We're starting to outgrow that facility,” he said. “We can't get all the boys' sports in the weight room at the same time.”
“Scheduling wise, it's a nightmare,” Nelson said about the weight room.
Penland said if the district becomes 4A, it may add soccer to the list of sports it offers at the school.
Trustee Darrell Barker asked about the field house, which will be designed for many sports. He was told it could accommodate football, soccer, baseball, softball, and track teams. He also said he would like for the district to wisely spend the $3 million allotment for the athletic facilities.
“We have tremendous accountability,” he said.
Story Link (www.thehuttonews.com/articles/2007/01/31/sports/news01.txt)
What is cheerfully known as home of the “Hippo Nation” is expected to undergo major renovations and expansion in the near future. The facelift of athletic facilities at Hutto High School won't come cheaply, though. It will cost approximately $4.4 million, but is much needed for a growing school district, Superintendent David Borrer and other school officials said.
On Jan. 23 a workshop was held at the Hutto Independent School District's administration building so that trustees could learn from Brad Pfluger, president and principal-in-charge of Pfluger Associates Architects of Austin, and Borrer about plans to expand and improve the stadium and adjacent facilities in many ways. Also attending the meeting were Janiece Nelson, girls' athletic director at HHS and Lee Penland, boys' athletic director at HHS.
For a school with a student population that's already burgeoning, the renovations will be necessary to accommodate the students and fans who want to see their Hippos compete, Borrer said. When all renovations and additions are completed at the high school, it is expected to accommodate 2,400 students, doubling its capacity.
In last November's bond election $85.2 million was approved by voters to fund construction of the district's fifth elementary school, a second middle school and expansion of the high school.
Plans for athletic facilities include a multi-sport field house with a cost of $2.5 million, synthetic turf on the stadium's field and field and track renovations for $1.2 million, stadium seating expansion with new bleachers for $206,437 and restroom additions for $240,750.
Pfluger said the subtotal for the improvements and renovations will cost approximately $4.2 million with a soft cost of 20 percent above the $3 million dollar allowance for a total of $4.4 million for the entire project.
In his presentation to trustees, Pfluger said there are options for stretching the district's budget.
To help pay for the athletic facilities renovations and improvements, the district might consider interest earnings, a reduction of project scope in other areas, a partial finish out of the field house, deferring bus maintenance facility work and bidding on another project at the same time the athletic facilities construction and renovation is taken out for bids. Since the meeting was a workshop, no action was taken regarding the expenditure of money, but Pfluger sought to give trustees information about possible avenues to have funds for the athletic-related renovations and expansion.
Pfluger presented trustees a floor plan for the field house. He said it has been changed twice within the last few days and is preliminary. He said it is possible the field house would be situated near the field, allowing people inside to look out onto the field, as is the situation at some other high schools.
Borrer said he has met with Nelson and Penland to see what they think is needed to meet the needs of so many students who are often-times tightly packed into the single weight room at the school. The superintendent said one of the most important things to consider while planning is to ensure there is ample locker space for all students and the district complies with Title IX, which mandates that equal opportunities exist for both boys and girls if a school receives federal assistance.
If the HISD builds a second high school to accommodate student population growth, Borrer said the district may be able to go back and re-renovate the old school facilities, but for now, the biggest priority is ensuring there is enough room for students to dress before and after competition and practice, and for everyone to have space to sit and enjoy athletic events.
Synthetic turf has also become a priority in the planning process for the athletic facilities, the superintendent said, adding that the track is, “in desperate need of repair.” He said he has been told by many people that they support the idea of having synthetic turf on the field.
Trustee Byron McDaniel and Board President Wes Sawyer said having synthetic turf would allow the district to host playoffs.
“Nobody wants dirt,” Sawyer said.
Borrer said district planners should keep in mind that the system may go from a 3A to a 4A or 5A designation and the renovations and improvements will help the system in this regard.
Nelson said easing the weight room crunch will definitely be a welcomed change.
“Right now we're constantly fighting for time to be in there,” she said.
Penland said he agrees with Nelson that space is often times extremely sparse in the weight room.
“We're starting to outgrow that facility,” he said. “We can't get all the boys' sports in the weight room at the same time.”
“Scheduling wise, it's a nightmare,” Nelson said about the weight room.
Penland said if the district becomes 4A, it may add soccer to the list of sports it offers at the school.
Trustee Darrell Barker asked about the field house, which will be designed for many sports. He was told it could accommodate football, soccer, baseball, softball, and track teams. He also said he would like for the district to wisely spend the $3 million allotment for the athletic facilities.
“We have tremendous accountability,” he said.
Story Link (www.thehuttonews.com/articles/2007/01/31/sports/news01.txt)